Today at the Rotary Club of Louisville, one of the largest and most prestigious Rotary Clubs in the world, Di Tran had the honor of attending a presentation by Christina (Christy) Lee Brown, a renowned philanthropist, and founder of the Envirome Institute. Christy Brown, with her extensive background in promoting interfaith relations and her commitment to environmental health, delivered a captivating talk focusing on the critical role of the Ohio River in sustaining health and well-being.
Christy Brown: A Beacon of Social Responsibility and Environmental Stewardship
Christina (Christy) Lee Brown, a native of Maryland and resident of Louisville, Kentucky, is known for her deep-seated commitment to community service and social responsibility. As the founder of the Center for Interfaith Relations, she has tirelessly worked to foster positive change through the collaboration of diverse faith communities. Her dedication to environmental health is evident through her founding of the Institute of Healthy Air, Water, and Soil, and her role as an international trustee of Religions for Peace.
Christy’s familial ties to the Brown-Forman corporation, renowned for brands such as Jack Daniels and Woodford Reserve, have not deterred her from championing sustainable and healthy living. Her commitment to the community and her belief in the power of united faith communities set the stage for her influential role in today’s dialogue about health and the environment.
Di Tran: A Vietnamese Immigrant’s Journey to Faith and Community Service
Di Tran, a Vietnamese immigrant and one of the youngest members of the Rotary Club of Louisville, found himself in awe of Christy’s presence and message. Despite his active involvement in the community, he realized that he was unfamiliar with Christy Brown, a pillar of philanthropy and environmental activism in Louisville.
As an individual deeply rooted in faith, and with a newly released book titled “My GOD is MY PEACE,” Di Tran found his beliefs reaffirmed through Christy’s presentation. Christy’s message resonated with Di Tran, emphasizing the importance of serving passionately and acknowledging the crucial role of environmental inputs, particularly water, in determining health.
The Ohio River: A Source of Health and a Call to Action
Christy Brown highlighted the Ohio River’s paramount importance as the third largest river in the United States, serving millions of people and playing a crucial role in sustaining life. She pointed out that despite having some of the best chemists and water treatment facilities, the water quality in the Ohio River is still a matter of grave concern.
She drew attention to the presence of PFAS, a group of manufactured chemicals that have been linked to adverse health effects, at dangerously high levels. This revelation serves as a call to action, urging the community and policymakers to prioritize the safety of the water and, by extension, the health of the population.
Key Takeaways: Serving Passionately and Prioritizing Health
For Di Tran, the key takeaways from Christy’s presentation were profound. The call to serve passionately and the emphasis on the vital role of clean water in maintaining health struck a chord with him. The Ohio River, a lifeline for millions, requires immediate attention and action to ensure its safety for all, including pregnant individuals.
Christy Brown’s presentation was not just an exposition of the current environmental challenges; it was a rallying cry for change, a call to serve passionately, and a reminder of the inseparable link between the environment and health. For Di Tran, it was an affirmation of his faith and a reminder of his responsibility to serve and protect the community and the environment.