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School Committee endorses ‘Zonta Says No’ against domestic violence
By Steve Freker
The legacy of one of America’s most beloved heroes touched Malden Monday night. Someday, a Malden student might even feel like “Superman” for a day because of it. The Malden School Committee unanimously approved the acceptance of a donation of an “all-terrain” wheelchair from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation’s “Outdoors for Everyone” program. The vote was taken at Monday night’s regular monthly meeting.
Maria Luise, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) liaison to the Malden Disability Commission, appeared before the Malden School Committee Monday night and presented information about the new addition to the City of Malden’s accessible transportation ”stable.” ”This will help our students to have access to more spaces when they are outdoors on field trips and other events,” Luise said.
Malden Disability Commission Chairperson Amanda Belles appeared virtually at Monday’s meeting and thanked the Reeve Foundation for their generous contribution of the all-terrain wheelchair — designed for children — an impressive piece of equipment valued at close to $5,000.
Malden School Committee Vice Chairperson Jennifer Spadafora sponsored the donation acknowledgment on the School Committee agenda and said the plan was for the wheelchair to be available to all Malden residents and it could be “signed out” for use. “[Recreation Coordinator] Joe Levine has a lot of programming year-round in the community and our residents could make use of it on many occasions,” Vice Chair Spadafora (Ward 3) said.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation donates millions annually, with over $3.3 million in “Quality of Life” grants awarded recently (funding accessible playgrounds, support groups) and significant funds invested in paralysis research, totaling over $3 million in 2024 alone, showing a strong commitment to supporting the paralysis community through both direct aid and scientific advancement. Christopher Reeve remains the actor who is beloved and best-known for his portrayal of the action hero Superman in four memorable movies: “Superman” (1978), “Superman II” (1980), “Superman III” (1983) and “Superman IV: Quest for Peace” (1987).
The foundation was originally established as the American Paralysis Foundation in 1982 and renamed for Christopher Reeve and his wife, Dana, after the Superman actor suffered a tragic spinal cord injury in 1995, at age 43, when he was injured in an equestrian accident. He died in 1984 at age 52 from complications due to his paralysis.
In addition to Belles, Chukwuka Ezewuzie is Vice Chair, Clerk is Maria Luise, and members of the Commission are Marilyn Andrews, Shanti Chilukuri, Ralph Long, Kathleen Higgins, Kathryn Doyle and Lisa Picardi.
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Malden School Committee endorses Malden ‘Zonta Says No’ to domestic violence
Members of Zonta of Malden and the “Z Club” young women appeared before the Malden School Committee Monday night to enlist their support for Zonta’s annual crusade against domestic violence. Zonta of Malden Vice President Ari Taylor and Z Club President Emily Taylor addressed the members and asked for their support of their “16 Days of Activism” campaign against domestic violence. Included in their campaign was the installation of an informational display around the outside of the Malden City Council Chamber, “Silent Witnesses,” depicting the stories of victims of domestic violence, “lives lost and voices silenced.”
”Zonta advocates to improve the lives of women and girls worldwide, including advocacy against domestic violence and one of the ways we do this is our 16 Days of Activism,” Ari Taylor, who is also Ward 5 Councillor, said. “Domestic violence doesn’t only affect women and girls, it also affects families, friends, and communities.”
Domestic violence does not only affect adults, but younger residents also, said Emily Taylor of the Z Club. “Domestic abuse affects everyone, kids in high school, teenaged children and children in middle school,” Emily Taylor said, “and it is so important that we stand up in our community and say ‘this is not okay,’ and help those who need it.”
A ceremony was held in the City Council Chamber on Wednesday night — telling the stories of the victims of domestic violence and describing resources available to those who need them.
Both the Zonta members and School Committee Chairperson and Mayor Gary Christenson mentioned RESPOND, Inc., which is officially affiliated with the City of Malden and its Police Department, as the go-to resource on domestic violence. Website: respondinc.org
The School Committee members all agreed to endorse the campaign and took a group photo with the Zonta of Malden members to promote the 16 Days of Activism.
