Family and friends of the late Tony McClendon are hoping his memory and life’s work will live on sharing books promoting diversity in Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. schools.
“One of his many goals was to create a rotating ‘Diversity Library’ for all BCSC schools to enjoy and experience how differences can enhance our lives,” said Suzi Bruin, Bartholomew Consolidated School Foundation executive director.
His wife, Pat McClendon still recalls the day her late husband told her about his dream for the library.
Sitting together one afternoon as they always did, Pat McClendon remembers the conversation about diversity — something they agreed was more than just awareness. The conversation came just after the couple had attended a local cultural event.
“He said that doesn’t really get to true diversity and inclusion and embracing diversity,” Pat McClendon recalled. “He started talking about how he could start putting a little bit more into the schools.”
Avid readers, Pat and Tony McClendon started talking about books they had read that painted an accurate picture of diversity.
Knowing he had a little extra money, Tony McClendon brainstormed the idea of purchasing books to share with teachers across the corporation’s elementary schools through a traveling library program.
“We’re always constantly talking about the dilemma of, ‘How do we close this divide with people thinking that diversity is just what you see versus how do you get to know a person?'” Pat McClendon said.
For more on this story, see Wednesday’s Republic.
