AFABW Texas Chapter Human Rights Event

7 December 2025, the Texas Chapter of Artists for a Better World participated in an annual event in honor of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Church of Scientology of Austin, Texas. There were around 60 attendees.

The event was produced by AFABW member Stazja McFadyn who is also the director of Poets for Human Rights.

For the past 20 years she has been producing these events and now AFABW plays a part with art being included.

Volunteers also included Diane Woods, who made an announcement about AFABW, TX Chapter Dir Michelle Platt, who promoted to visual artists to make entries, George Gluchowski, Jorge Aguero and Silvia Strang.

A special presentation was by keynote speaker Jorge L. Toledo, a Venezuelan-born American citizen, who is a former oil and gas executive, an accomplished musician, and a marathon runner. He survived 1,775 days of unjust detention in Venezuela. He shared his powerful story as a professional speaker—advocating against hostage diplomacy, the violation of fundamental human rights, and inspiring others through his journey of endurance and transformation.

The event was well received with much positive feedback:

“The event was marvelous. The story of hostage diplomacy, spot on. Any opportunity to put pen to paper, a treasure. Thanks for all you do!” From Ed Seymour, Poems-on-the-Spot™

From Katherine Durham Oldmixon Garza, Professor Emerita of English at Huston Tillotson University, director of Round Top Poetry Festival, and judge of 2025 Anita McAndrews Award contest (Katherine was not present at the event) – “I had the honor of judging this poetry for human rights contest this autumn. There were poems from all over the world, I am told. It was uplifting to be washed with so many artist advocates for human rights, especially now… It truly was an honor. Thank you Stazja and Anita.”

Thom Woodruff, Texas Beat Poet Laureate 2020-2022 participated at the Human Rights Awards event, reading the 2025 Anita McAndrews Award Human Rights poetry contest winning poem. He said “Thank YOU for effective poetic actions on behalf of Human Rights for so many years. I am grateful — I have been distributing those human rights materials at every open mic and can handle more if available”