Author Archives: RegineB

Tribute from Beverly Bell

Dear Friends, For those who haven’t received word, Marie Marcelle Buteau Racine left behind her failed body and mind yesterday, July 23. It is my hope that she flew her beautiful self away to a place where exist the principles, love, and dignity that she worked so hard for on this planet. I don’t need to tell anyoneContinue reading “Tribute from Beverly Bell”

Tribute from Burton Wides, Esquire

Marie Racine became a treasured friend soon after we met in the early 90’s. For a decade, I was a D.C. attorney representing the constitutional government of Haiti’s President Aristide, both here in Washington and in Port-au Prince. Marie was a wonderful guide and obviously a talented teacher. She patiently tutored me, as I cameContinue reading “Tribute from Burton Wides, Esquire”

WORDS OF COMFORT from the Committee for the Advancement of the Creole Language (KOMALAK)

I am very grateful and blessed for the privilege of havingcrossed path with Dr. Marie Marcelle Racine.  A gentle human being whose demeanor inspired peace, calmness and admiration.  She embodied a sense of care and respect for others exceeding common standards, with a remarkable and empowering trait of humility that helped her establish a healthy connection, and rapport with people inContinue reading “WORDS OF COMFORT from the Committee for the Advancement of the Creole Language (KOMALAK)”

Tribute from John Kozyn

I first met Marie Racine while working at the Washington Office on Haiti under Fritz Longchamp in January 1990 and soon learned that she happened to be the niece of the Haitian priest and educator, Rev Antoine Adrien, co-founder of WOH along with his confrère Rev. Jim Healy and both of them priests in the Spiritan congregation. LaterContinue reading “Tribute from John Kozyn”

Tribute from Marcelle Chery

A public servant peacefully passed away after a long battle with LIFE. Dr.  Marie Marcelle Racine will be missed by those who came to know her during her involvement in service to the Haitian Community at Our Lady Queen Of Peace, in Arlington, Virginia; at KOFAPA, an organization Dr Racine had founded to give Haitian Women aContinue reading “Tribute from Marcelle Chery”

A Giant of a Figure Departs

There is a word in Haitian creole to describe some towering figures; the word is: Mapou.  Much like the African Baobab, the Mapou is an imposing tree which lives for a long time. It is a central element in Haitian society  and has come to typify strength and resilience. This is the description that fits Dr. Marie Marcelle Racine who departed this past July 23, peacefully, surrounded by her family, after a long and fulfillingContinue reading “A Giant of a Figure Departs”

Yon Lòt Mapou Tonbe

​Gen yon mo nan kreyòl ayisyen an yo itilize pou dekri yon seri gwo pèsonalite: mo sa a, se “ Mapou”.  Tankou pye bwa nan Lafrik yo rele Baobab, Mapou a, se yon kokenn pye bwa ki viv lontan.  Li se yon eleman kle nan sosyete Ayiti a, aloske ke li senbolize pisans ak rezistans. Se yon deskripsyon ki kadre byen ak lavi Dr. Marie Marcelle Racine ki travèse lòt bò nan dat 23 jiyè ki fèk pase a, nan lapè, aloske fanmi li te avèk li. ​ Maye, jan tout zanmi li te konn rele li, te yon moun ki pa fè kont ak pèsonn, men ki te aji ak detèminasyon e konviksyon pou li reyalize objektif li: asire etidyan li yo kapab rive aprann kòrèkteman sa li t ap anseye yo. Kòm pwofesè, pa te gen tankou li. Pa gen youn nan etidyan li yo ki pa te rekonèt Dr. Racine te yon pwofesè san parèy. Li te gen yon kapasite estwòdinè pou konekte ak   moun.  Maye pa te janm manke mande mwen kouman pitit fi mwen t ap pwogrese lekòl, e li te tèlman kontan aprann li t ap travay byen san pwoblèm. Se konsa li t ap veye sou tout etidyan li yo. Mwen pa kwè mwen janm wè Maye move sou yon moun; okontrè, preyokipasyon li, se veye pou tout moun te byen. ​ Non sèlman mwen te kapab konsidere Pwofesè Racine kòm zanmi mwen, men, mwen te rive pataje tit kolèg avèk li nan Akademi Kreyòl Ayisyen an, yon enstitisyon limenm ak defen lengwis ayisyen Yves Déjean te travay anpil pou mete kanpe.  Se tout nanm li li te mete nan aktivite pwomosyon lang kreyòl ayisyen an li te konsidere tankou yonContinue reading “Yon Lòt Mapou Tonbe”