Lifetime Champion of Human Rights, Diversity Honored

GREENPORT, NY — Once again, a member of the community was honored for a lifetime spent fighting to uphold civil and human rights, and for promoting diversity, unity and fairness in Southold Town.

On Thursday, the Southold Town Anti-Bias Task Force awarded Brian Mealy with the 2018 Helen W. Prince Award; the award was created in 2015 to call attention to, and honor, a community member in Southold who espouses those values.

The ceremony was held at Peconic Landing in Greenport; the event also featured a display of art from students across Southold Town, as well as guest speaker Georgette Grier-Key.

Mealy serves as a trustee on the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District's board of education, is a library clerk at Floyd Memorial Library in Greenport, a board member at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, and sits on the board at Peconic Green Growth, among other community efforts.

"His leadership and commitment to our community is known to many. Mr. Mealy is someone who, in his many roles, actively participates in creating and affirming an inclusive environment for all," according to the Southold ABTF.

A crowd packed Peconic Landing to honor Mealy; ABTF member Leroy Heyliger spoke about the origins of the Helen Wright Prince Award, created in memory of a woman who created the migrant labor camp school in Cutchogue, and who helped so many that were in need.

Girl Scouts led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, and Greir-Key, president of the Brookhaven NAACP, spoke of the importance of education and the critical need to get youth involved. "We are in one race — the human race. And service is lifting up someone else," she said.

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell presented a proclamation to Mealy, and noted the tireless efforts of the ABTF.

Of the ceremony, Russell said the event "epitomizes the philosophy of the ABTF committee — focus on the positive and the glimmers of hope. In this case, they honored an individual whose contributions to promote dialogue and foster diversity and understanding make him an excellent choice."

Mealy, taking the microphone, did so with humor: "I have back up plans if I faint. There are folks here that can help me. If I cry, I planned the exit to the bathroom," he said.

He then spoke from the heart about how he wants to do his best for the community, which needs support. "The same 10 people can’t do it all," he said.

Southold Town Councilman Bill Ruland said he's known Mealy for decades, longtime friends with his parents. "You are a testament to your mom and dad," he said. "They placed a value on your education." Also, he said countless parents and students have been impacted by Mealy, who serves on the Mattituck-Cutchogue BOE, just as he did for many years.

Lisa Richland, director of the Floyd Memorial Library also spoke.

Mealy's sister Kimberly said while her brother was surprised to be honored with the award, "We were not." Her brother, she added, lives by the golden rule.

In 2017, Dr. Anne W. Smith was chosen by the Southold Anti-Bias Task Force to receive the award, spotlighting civil and human rights and an ongoing mission to celebrate diversity.

Smith, former superintendent of the Mattituck-Cutchogue School District, was honored for "her leadership and commitment to ensuring that all the students, staff and faculty in her schools actively participate in creating and affirming and inclusive learning environment for all."

And in 2016, voices filled with emotion and tears of gratitude, family, friends, and the many colleagues whose lives she's touched came together to honor longtime community servant Merle Levine, 92,who was presented with the second annual 2016 Helen Wright Prince Award.

Patch photos courtesy Southold ABTF.