On November 12, the DCSL Foundation sponsored a sparkling reception at the South African Embassy in celebration of the first year of operation of the Jubilee Center Immigration Law Project. The Project is a partnership between the School of Law and the Jubilee Center of Grace Lutheran Church – ELCA. The South African Embassy was both an elegant and appropriate setting to reflect on the accomplishments of this cooperative partnership. Brief comments describing these accomplishments were made by Carolyn Waller, ’77 and "founding mother" of the project; Shelley Broderick, Dean of the Law School; Pastor Dean Moe, Senior Pastor of Grace Lutheran Church; Nancy Pierce-Erck, Chair of the Jubilee Board of Directors; and David Rivera, the Project attorney.

Defense and Military Attaché Colonel Raymond T. Marutle greeted the 130 guests, who included D.C. Councilmember Carol Schwartz and former Councilmember Hilda Mason, and South African diplomats Counselor Tshepo Mazibuko, Third Secretary Motumisi Tawana, and Social Secretary Nokwazi Hlubi. As guests enjoyed the art works in the reception rooms, background music was provided by Deborah Bagby, a professional musician and Jubilee Center board member. The reception was followed by a buffet dinner featuring delicious South African food and wine.

Among those in attendance were many people who had been involved in the anti-apartheid movement and in defense of Dennis Brutus, the South African poet whom the INS had sought to deport. Throughout the evening, guests frequently commented that despite having demonstrated outside the Embassy during the anti-apartheid struggle, this event was their first opportunity to see the inside. UDC French Professor and long-time human rights activist Marie Racine commented, "It was a remarkable evening which brought together people who have been in the trenches of human rights struggles throughout the world, but especially U.S. members of the anti-South African apartheid movement. I regret that our good friend, Dennis Brutus, the indefatigable fighter and poetic voice for the dismantling of apartheid, was unable to be present due to a previous engagement related to expanding the struggle for human rights in other places."

This beautiful and vibrant event was an opportunity to see the changes produced by a successful struggle and to renew one's commitment to continue in the ongoing fight for human rights.