76th Anniversary of Human Rights Day hosted by Arts4All, celebrated in Queens, NY

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On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the Arts4All Foundation, was joined by family members of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as World War II veterans, Holocaust survivors, elected officials, human rights leaders, and the community to commemorate the 76th anniversary of Human Rights Day.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the first Chairperson of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, played a key role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations.

The Dec. 10 event paid tribute to her legacy on her 140th birthday year with her family, the World War II veterans, and the American Holocaust survivors who pioneered freedom, unity, justice, and global peace efforts.

Founder of Arts4All Foundation Dr. Sumita SenGupta noted the history of and principles of the Universal Declaration and Eleanor Roosevelt’s role.

SenGupta announced the names of honorees at the event. They included  Anna Eleanor Fierst, the great great-granddaughter of President and First Lady Roosevelt; World War II veteran May Brill; and Holocaust survivors Inge Auerbacher and Leon Sherman.

“We have organized this commemoration to give students and our community the opportunity to learn from the brave heroes of World War II and continue to advance human rights and support humanity in preserving freedom, justice, liberty, and equality for all people to pave a better future and world for generations to come,” SenGupta said.

The two-part event to commemorate Human Rights Day included a celebration with human rights and community leaders and a free program open to the public on Human Rights Day at Queens College with the hundreds of John Bowne High School and Queens College students, veterans, and local community members.

Justin Connor from New York Democratic Congressman Thomas R. Suozzi’s office, also presented proclamations to the honorees.

At a Human Rights celebration held on December 7, numerous other leaders in their fields were honored.  New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, attorney and wife of New York City Public Advocate, Mrs. India Sneed-Williams, attorney Corinthia A. Carter, the President of the Legal Services Staff Association 2320; and Magdalonie Paris-Campbell, the External Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at AT&T, Hana M. Boruchov, a tax attorney and partner at Boruchov, Gabovich & Associates, P.C. , Dr. Lisa Eng, an obstetrician, Dr. Arvin Ghosh, a renowned author, Dr. Dolly B. Manvar, an allergist, Dr. Buddhadev N. Manvar, a cardiologist, Amit Guha, a small business owner and community leader, Sarat Vadadam the owner of Hands On Therapy, and Preeta Sinha, a climate change activist and the Chief Positive Thinker at Perfect Nations and niece of Bollywood hero and global icon Shatrughan Sinha..

“Today, I feel the presence of my great-grandmother watching over us with immense pride as all of you epitomize what Eleanor Roosevelt was passionate for and committed to, which was igniting civic leadership,” said Fierst, thanking Dr. Sumita SenGupta and the Arts4All Foundation.

Brill said, “We fought for freedom, and I still, at 100 years old, fight today because fighting for human rights is as critical today as it was after the end of World War II. About 350,000 women served during World War II, and I am proud to be one of them.”

Auerbacher, who turns 90 on December 31 recalled how at the age of 7, she was forced to live in the Theresienstadt Ghetto and concentration camp. “I have looked genocide in the eyes and seen the pain of death and war, but even now, at 90 years old, I only have one mission, and it is my long mission, which is love,” she said.

The 105 year-old Holocaust survivor, Sherman, lived in six concentration camps, including Auschwitz. “B2593, the blue tattoo I was branded with by the Nazis, is still on my arm as a reminder of the dangers of mass hatred and war. The fact that I am alive today is a miracle, as 1.1 million people were massacred in Auschwitz and 6 million Jewish people were killed in the Holocaust. I believe I lived because my story and memories, along with other Holocaust survivors, should never be forgotten. Human rights are the foundation for world peace, and it begins with safeguarding those universal rights for all people.”

Others who spoke at the event included DiNapoli, Councilman James F. Gennaro, who provided certificates for the honorees, Assemblyman David I. Weprin, the co-president of the National Association of Jewish Legislators, Assemblyman Steven Raga, and Assemblywoman-elect Larinda Hooks.

Several cakes, each the favorite flavors of the honorees, celebrated their birthdays; The program for the students included a free pizza and birthday cake party. The pizza was sponsored and cooked by Amit Guha, owner of Riviera-V Pizzeria.

The program concluded with performances from renowned musician Kamal Sabhri who played the Sarangi, peace songs sung from Dr. Smita Guha, and Dr. Sanjukta Bhaduri, who sang John Lennon’s Imagine. Anandita Guha performed dances depicting harmony and unity. Gaurav Paliwal played the flute to symbolize peace and non-violence.