Our Collective Voice - Joan Collins

Today we are reprinting a letter from Joan Collins' "Profiles in Courage" series. This one honors a true hero, Beth Brewer.

Previously, we wrote this about Beth Brewer:

"Beth is a Durham citizen running the Recall Nifong-Vote Cheek campaign. If Cheek is elected, Governor Easley will appoint a new District Attorney for Durham, but it won't be Beth Brewer. She will return to her own life as a private citizen. There is nothing "in this" for her, but the knowledge that her community will be healed and will be the better for it. I don't know about you, but in a world of self-serving politicians of EVERY sort, Beth Brewer of Recall Nifong - Vote Cheek is one I could surely trust."

Today, as we approach the election, the eloquent words of Joan Collins bring us new insight and inspiration about Beth Brewer. We thank Joan for this lovely piece.We thank Beth for her courage, her tenacity, and her undaunted dedication to her neighbors and her community. We ask our friends in Durham to say "Thank you" to Beth and many devoted volunteers in the only way that matters... Recall Nifong-Vote Cheek.

Profile in Courage - Beth Brewer

Lately I have written about quite a few heroes. Today I want to write about another hero. It is a name you may not recognize, but one I have come to admire and respect: Beth Brewer.

It was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, "It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself." Beth is a Durham citizen who out of concern for her community is working diligently to make Durham better. Beth Brewer is the organizer and Chairperson for the Recall Nifong-Vote Cheek (RN-VC) campaign for District Attorney in Durham County, N.C. Beth Brewer is a true hero.

The Committee to Recall Nifong-Vote Cheek was formed in August 2006 out of concern for Durham. The purpose of the committee is to continue the efforts of the historical petition drive that resulted in more than 10,000 citizens stating their desire for an alternative to Mike Nifong on the ballot in November, by urging citizens to vote for Lewis Cheek. Letters sent to these 10,000 citizens have generated a flurry of support and the wave of support is growing. As each RN-VC lawn sign is put up, they reportedly are getting honks, thumbs up and offers to help. The committee now has well over 100 hard working and enthusiastic volunteers.

Beth Brewer and her group of RN-VC volunteers are trying to make a difference. They are living the words of anthropologist, Margaret Mead, who wrote "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

The word courage is derived from the French root word "coeur" which means heart. Courage is rooted in love, the love of people and things we care about. When we open our hearts to a person or issue, courage pours out from our hearts. Beth Brewer cares deeply about Durham.

She and her husband moved to Durham many years ago. They chose Durham for its excellent business opportunities and a great place to raise their family. Brewer's children were born in Durham and she immersed herself in her family, work and community. In these years, Brewer's career and her family flourished in Durham.

When the Durham that Ms. Brewer knew and loved became a target of nationwide ridicule and scorn, Beth decided it was time for a change. A change away from a District Attorney who is more willing to speak on national television than with witnesses and attorneys involved in a case. A change away from a District Attorney willing to tear a community apart for political gain. Something had to be done and someone had to do something. That is when Beth Brewer decided to get involved.

Ms. Brewer admittedly has no prior campaign experience, but she channeled her business and organizational skills to the RN-VC campaign and has never looked back. She volunteered to be the Spokesperson and a voice for the campaign. She has no affiliation with Duke (nor, as a matter of fact, do I). As a true grassroots movement, the campaign to Recall Nifong - Vote Cheek campaign has no headquarters, no salaried employees, no outsourcing of fundraising, and no hired political consultants. All participants in the campaign work on a purely voluntary basis.

Beth Brewer is working diligently to help defeat Nifong. She has no vested interest but love for her community and distaste for what she sees happening in Durham. Imagine the pressures of running a campaign with no prior political experience and with limited campaign resources. Ms. Brewer has done so with grace and courage.

I first heard Beth Brewer's voice when she was interviewed by Julia Lewis on WRAL (Interview 1). She was also later interviewed on North Carolina Public Radio (Interview 2). Hearing Brewer's voice brought back fond memories of my favorite aunt who lived in Fayetteville, N.C., just a short distance from Durham.

Working tirelessly for a better Durham has not been an easy task for Ms. Brewer. She has made many sacrifices. She continues to work full time and have full time family responsibilities. She has endured being subjected to the press referring to her as “Abbott and Costello.” Letters have been written about her in the press. In their ‘Dear Friends and Neighbors Letter’, the RN-VC committee eloquently stated,

“We believe this election is what the Durham that we love is about and, as such, requires a true and full measure of consideration by each of its citizens. We ask that Durham show, not only to Mr. Nifong, but also to Governor Easley and to the nation that watches, that Durham cares, that Durham has pride and, most importantly, that Durham has a voice."

We all have the potential to become courageous at any moment in time, but few of us take the next step and become heroes. Beth seized the moment. She did not step lightly into the RN-VC campaign. She took a heroic leap. Durham will be a better place for it.

The RN-VC’s campaign slogan is "The people of Durham County take back the District Attorney's office." The many ‘Thank you for what you are doing’ remarks she has received have inspired Beth. "We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history," said Sonia Johnson. Beth with her "coeur" may just do that.

After the election, Beth will return to her private life as a citizen of Durham. She will return to her home, her family and her career. In his book, “The Greatest Generation”, Tom Brokaw observed, "Heroes are people who rise to the occasion and slip quietly away." After the election, Beth will slip quietly away, but her contribution will not be forgotten. Beth Brewer is a true hero.

Joan Collins

Garden City, N.Y.

Profiles in Courage by Joan Collins:

Dave Evans

Kerstin Kimmel

Moezeldin Elmostafa

Beth Brewer

Professor James Coleman

Recall Nifong - Vote Cheek