A Very Special Visit for Junior Docents at Hudson River Museum

The Hudson River Museum recently welcomed two very special guests — Secretary-General of the United Nations António Guterres and Catarina Vaz Pinto, Councillor of Culture for the City of Lisbon, Portugal.

Known as strong proponents of the arts, education, and human rights, the pair made a visit to the HRM to explore African American Art in the 20th Century and Jamel Robinson: Beauty from Ashes, two current exhibitions recently featured in The New York Times that speak directly to the Museum’s mission and address diversity, equity, and the human experience.

HRM Director and CEO Masha Turchinsky said “The Hudson River Museum is grateful to the Secretary-General and the Councillor of Culture for making it a priority to experience these powerful artworks in person, and to speak with our Junior Docents about their thoughts and future interests. On our next field trip to the UN, these teens will share the confidence of knowing they already have their first meeting with a global leader under their belts.”

During the visit, HRM Junior Docent Emmanuella Maameyaaba Essein Addai, a member of the program’s Advisory Board, had the opportunity to give a special highlight tour within the exhibition, which she had been preparing for the public. “Meeting the Secretary-General of the United Nations was an honor. Many have dreamt of it, but I was able to live it!” Born in Ghana, Emmanuella is a dynamic 11th grader at Palisade Preparatory School in Yonkers. She is one of approximately 70 Yonkers Public School students from across the city who train throughout their high school years in the Museum’s nationally recognized teen leadership program.

Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools, Dr. Edwin Quezada praised Emmanuella and her fellow Junior Docents. “I have seen that passion and confidence exuberantly expressed by Emmanuella in so many of our students in the Junior Docent Program over the past two decades as a Yonkers high school principal as well as in my current position. The District is appreciative of our strong partnership with the Hudson River Museum and their relentless commitment to the Junior Docents.” The Hudson River Museum is a BCW Member.