Award's Timing Was Perfect

The Evening News (June 15, 1998)

By Nelson K. Benton III, Editorial Page Editor

It was somehow appropriate that Dr. Vicky Guzman should become the first woman to receive the prestigious Salem Award last Thursday night.

The award honors the victims, mostly women, of the 1692 witchcraft hysteria who bravely chose death rather than confess to the lie that they were under the influence of a supernatural being. And Guzman, who defied threats of retribution from the military government in her native El Salvador to bring health services and housing to the rural and urban poor in her embattled country, is certainly deserving of the honor.

In her short acceptance speech, Guzman told of how she had learned about the Salem witchcraft delusion as a little girl, and while it seemed like something out of science fiction, she made up her mind that she would someday like to be a "good witch," using her powers to help others. To whatever extent its troubled history inspired Guzman's subsequent actions, Salem has done itself proud by recognizing her efforts begun following her graduation from medical school in 1971, pursued in jail while she was a political prisoner, and which continue to this day.

Interestingly, as the Salem Award ceremonies were taking place in the ballroom of the Hawthorne Hotel, on the other side of town a group of women were making sure Salem would stay on the right path in the 21st century. The issue dominating the City Council's deliberations that night was the proposed tax incentive agreement that would allow construction of a new hotel on Pickering Wharf—considered by many a key element in the effort to revive Salem's seaport. All the compelling arguments from the public came from women—Ellen DiGeronimo and Laura DiToma of the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Annie Harris of the Salem Partnership and former City Councilor Jane Stirgwolt—and two key votes were provided by Councilors Sally Hayes and Joan Lovely. "It's time," Hayes said, signaling an end to the months of wrangling that had many wondering whether the council would settle for the status quo rather than grab the opportunity to encourage new development and diversify the tax base.

So as was the case three centuries ago, it was a group of women who succeeded in putting Salem back on the right path last week.

Reprinted with permission from The Salem News.