Mansfield Kaseman to be Inducted into Human Rights Hall of Fame
The Rev. Mansfield M. “Kasey” Kaseman, of Germantown, is among seven people to be inducted into the 2014 Human Rights Hall of Fame by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights. The ceremony, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 3:00 pm. on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Black Rock Center for the Arts in Germantown.
Kaseman and the others are being recognized for their visionary leadership, outstanding achievements and altruism on the road to eliminating discrimination and advancing human rights.
Kaseman has been engaged in ecumenical and interfaith ministries aimed at creating the “beloved community.” The model he implemented for “Theological Education in the Urban Setting” was adopted by Boston University and Weston Divinity Schools.
Moving to Rockville in 1979, Kaseman revitalized Rockville United Church, incorporated Community Ministries of Rockville, engaged the political, civic, religious and business sectors in meeting common interests. The Caregiver’s Coalition of Rockville, Emergency Assistance, Elderly Homecare, Latino Outreach, Manna, Habitat for Humanity and the Kaseman Clinic are among organizations he helped found and grow. Outside of Montgomery County he served as Adjunct Faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary, Treasure of the National Community Ministry Network and President of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.
Currently he serves on the boards of the Primary Care Coalition, Open Health Systems Laboratory, Low Vision Center, Play Ball America and the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation. He and his wife, Dianne, have three adult children and seven grandchildren. His hobbies are kayaking, photography, golf and reading.
Other honorees include, Dr. Dana Beyer, of Chevy Chase, who is retired eye surgeon and currently serves as the Executive Director of Gender Rights Maryland.
Russell C. Campbell, Sr., who is a member of the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission for 12 years and is currently serving as its chairman.
Charles Kauffman, of Bethesda, is an advocate for Beacon Hill Village and aging-in-place communities.
The Rev. Ruby R. Moone of Charles County, was the first female chair of the Montgomery County Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Committee and a guidance counselor for 40 years, she established the first career center at Poolesville High School.
James C. Offord, of Silver Spring, had a distinguished career in assisting the Small Business Administration’s minority-owned businesses program. After retirement, he continued to serve to improve human relations within Montgomery County.
George B. Thomas, Sr., of Rockville, president and chairman of The George B. Thomas Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., a non-profit community-based tutoring and mentoring program that he founded in 1986, the Saturday school program partners with Montgomery County Public Schools and is designed to enhance and accelerate academic achievement of students in the basic skills and core academic subjects.
The Office of Human Rights’ Hall of Fame began in 2001 and is held every other year. Almost 80 individuals have been inducted over the years.
