About Us
We are residents of Newtown and people with ties to the town who want to understand how Newtown became and has endured as a predominantly white town. This involves researching local history, talking to people, studying demographics, and learning regional and national history. We welcome others to join us.
Ellen Aho
I grew up in Canton, a small town in Connecticut's Farmington Valley. My husband and I have lived in Newtown since 1999 and our three children went through the Newtown school system. Before starting my family I worked as an attorney, and I also taught as an adjunct college professor. More recently, I've been involved in numerous volunteer organizations through the Newtown schools and the community. I identify as white.
Jan Lee Brookes
I grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, and have lived in Newtown since 1970. My three adult sons went through Newtown Schools, and now live out of state. Although I was aware of racial inequality in my youth, I believed it was simply the way things were. After the Civil Rights Movement, I assumed that racial equality would occur naturally over time. During the 20 years I taught at Newtown High School, I became an active anti-racist, and advocate for LBGTQIA teens. I joined this project because I love Newtown and believe in the power of education to help people understand the past and choose a different path forward. I identify as white.
Tara Chander
Paul D'Agostino
Katharine Dougherty
I grew up in a Northern Virginia suburb of Washington, DC. and have lived in Newtown for 38 years with my family. In town, I served on the Commission on Aging (10 yrs), was the leader of a Girl Scout Troup (12 yrs), am president of Huntingtown Cemetery Association (22 yrs), and in Danbury, led the Danbury Area Alzheimer’s Support Group (16 yrs). My two adult children came through Newtown schools, and now live out of state. I’m a retired high school teacher and was involved with or advised the Gay Straight Alliance in schools where I worked. I have since childhood been aware of privilege and worked for equality and access. I am interested in legal, educational, and ethnic issues that intersect with fairness and justice. I am dedicated to the American Red Cross Apheresis Platelet Program and pre and new teacher preparation. I identify as white.
Julia Hammond
I am 23 years old and grew up in Essex, Connecticut, but was connected to this group through family connections to Newtown. I graduated from Fordham University in Spring 2020, am currently working in public policy in New York City, and will be attending law school starting in Fall 2021. In the past, I've conducted research on sanctuary policies and immigration law throughout the United States, and hope to continue legal research on that topic in the future. I am interested in de facto segregation and systemic racism, especially with regard to housing and zoning, in Connecticut and across the US. I identify as white.
Linda O'Sullivan
Kimberlee Rackley
Sue Roman
My family moved to town in 1973. I left after graduating high school in 1981 to see the world and returned in the 1990s to work as an editor and publisher at my family’s business, The Taunton Press. I am a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and a corporator at Newtown Savings Bank. My children attended Newtown schools. I am a documentary filmmaker and social activist, promoting gun violence prevention, racial justice and immigrant rights. I identify as white.
I grew up in Canton, a small town in Connecticut's Farmington Valley. My husband and I have lived in Newtown since 1999 and our three children went through the Newtown school system. Before starting my family I worked as an attorney, and I also taught as an adjunct college professor. More recently, I've been involved in numerous volunteer organizations through the Newtown schools and the community. I identify as white.
Jan Lee Brookes
I grew up in Newton, Massachusetts, and have lived in Newtown since 1970. My three adult sons went through Newtown Schools, and now live out of state. Although I was aware of racial inequality in my youth, I believed it was simply the way things were. After the Civil Rights Movement, I assumed that racial equality would occur naturally over time. During the 20 years I taught at Newtown High School, I became an active anti-racist, and advocate for LBGTQIA teens. I joined this project because I love Newtown and believe in the power of education to help people understand the past and choose a different path forward. I identify as white.
Tara Chander
Paul D'Agostino
Katharine Dougherty
I grew up in a Northern Virginia suburb of Washington, DC. and have lived in Newtown for 38 years with my family. In town, I served on the Commission on Aging (10 yrs), was the leader of a Girl Scout Troup (12 yrs), am president of Huntingtown Cemetery Association (22 yrs), and in Danbury, led the Danbury Area Alzheimer’s Support Group (16 yrs). My two adult children came through Newtown schools, and now live out of state. I’m a retired high school teacher and was involved with or advised the Gay Straight Alliance in schools where I worked. I have since childhood been aware of privilege and worked for equality and access. I am interested in legal, educational, and ethnic issues that intersect with fairness and justice. I am dedicated to the American Red Cross Apheresis Platelet Program and pre and new teacher preparation. I identify as white.
Julia Hammond
I am 23 years old and grew up in Essex, Connecticut, but was connected to this group through family connections to Newtown. I graduated from Fordham University in Spring 2020, am currently working in public policy in New York City, and will be attending law school starting in Fall 2021. In the past, I've conducted research on sanctuary policies and immigration law throughout the United States, and hope to continue legal research on that topic in the future. I am interested in de facto segregation and systemic racism, especially with regard to housing and zoning, in Connecticut and across the US. I identify as white.
Linda O'Sullivan
Kimberlee Rackley
Sue Roman
My family moved to town in 1973. I left after graduating high school in 1981 to see the world and returned in the 1990s to work as an editor and publisher at my family’s business, The Taunton Press. I am a member of Trinity Episcopal Church and a corporator at Newtown Savings Bank. My children attended Newtown schools. I am a documentary filmmaker and social activist, promoting gun violence prevention, racial justice and immigrant rights. I identify as white.