Interview with Hazelle Goodman

Interview with Hazelle Goodman  

 By LaVerne E. Ragster 

October 18, 2011 

The special fundraiser in support of the Rotary International goal to eradicate Polio from our world and to support a new scholarship for the University of the Virgin Islands became a reality and a success because of the leadership of President Lorraine Baa and the generous support of Rotarian Jose Gonzalez Espinosa, the GM at the Marriott Frenchman's Reef. 

We were privileged to experience the performance and talent of Ms. Goodman because she said yes to a request from our President Lorraine to support the efforts of Rotary II to improve the health and education of the Virgin Islands and the world.  The evening of camaraderie, networking, community outreach, and fun supported by Rotary II members demonstrating outstanding teamwork and cooperation was a great example of the best of Rotary.

Ms. Goodman graciously agreed to speak with me on Sunday the 16th, and we spent about an hour and a half talking about some of the things that are important to her and her work. Hazelle (she said we could be on a first name basis) is a petite, Caribbean woman of the world with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama from City College of New York, a very large spirit, and a strong drive to make a difference in the world through her comedy and her life. Her visit to the Virgin Islands, this time (Hazelle visited and performed at the Reichhold Center about 10 years ago), was one of her special activities undertaken every year to support community causes, especially if they are linked to addressing healing and empowerment of women.

Groups like the United Way in New York City have benefited from her community spirit and desire to be a part of the solution.  Hazelle remarked that she enjoyed her visit to the Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School mainly because of the opportunity to interact with the young people and be a part of their positive role models.

Hazelle remarked more than once during our conversation how important it was for women to see and value their personal worth and how much the tragedy of abuse of women in our society touched her. She acknowledged that a number of her skits were designed to make fun of this serious issue in the hope that some people would see some of the underlying causes of the harmful things that women do to themselves or allow to happen to them.  During her show, the skillful portrayal of both men and women of different walks of life was mesmerizing. She made you laugh even as she made you think about the human conditions that were being exposed.

In the skit called “Today's Woman”, two Hispanic sisters and a British talk show host vividly demonstrate how far women can go to focus on physical, even superficial assets, while ignoring basic issues of self esteem and the need to take care of themselves. The characters Willie (male) and PSA (female) reminded us of the diverse ways that people cope with life under difficult conditions. By the way, Hazelle says that PSA is Public Service Announcement.

The politics and drama of life in the Virgin Islands was included in one of the skits and we too became a part of the world that Hazelle shared in her one-woman performance. It turns out that she was able to collect all of the tidbits about the Virgin Islands from people she met in her short time on the island.  Clearly, she is a good listener and “people person “.  Of course, it helps that there are those among us that cannot resist telling any and everything they know to everyone else. She is a life-long learner and continues to hone her craft, taking lessons on acting and practicing yoga and biblical meditation as she seeks excellence.

It was not surprising to hear Hazelle say that she liked the values and the philosophy of Rotary after I learned that she comes from a spiritual family and that her mother was a minister.  She also spoke in a focused manner of seeking wisdom and a holistic, balanced life with passion.  These approaches to living have empowered her, even with the challenges of being a single mom, to pursue her dreams.   I found her to be a great example of how an individual could use values and faith to maintain a positive self image and place in the world.  

The members of Rotary II and others in our community that had the good fortune to experience Hazelle Goodman’s performance last weekend received a gift of sharing of the talent, experience and spirit of a very special Caribbean woman.  I find myself among those persons that are grateful that she passed this way, and wish her great success in life.