Advocates of Justice and Fairness for All

The lives of Elliot and Rosel Schewel were woven together generations before they met. For more than a century they and their family have uniquely contributed to the political and social fabric of America and the civic construct of Central Virginia through religion, politics, and service. The Schewels are the quintessential husband and wife team. The trajectory of their combined and individual lives seems always on course while the road to their success as public advocates for fairness and justice for all groups takes several interesting turns. Living in Lynchburg offered its own set of challenges. Rosel found herself an outcast for voicing opposition to segregation and supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. Senator Elliot Schewel wrestled with the political will of the moral majority and Jerry Falwell himself. His unique political contribution to the Commonwealth of Virginia spans across sweeping legislation for all state employees to individual requests from citizens in need of help. His own unique brand of compassionate policy making and political shrewdness makes clear the reason he is known as the gentleman politician. Their indefatigable support of more than twenty different non-profit organizations and diligent work to widen the locus of control in business and government to increase the individual power of citizens over their own destinies makes for an impressionable reading. Partial proceeds from book royalties are donated to Beacon of Hope (http://beaconofhopelynchburg.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing Lynchburg city school children the resources and tools necessary to aspire toward and pursue a post-secondary education.

Paula Youra, Ph.D. is a professor of Communication Studies at Lynchburg College. A graduate of the Pennsylvania State University, she has authored books in Political and Public Communication and has presented research at national and international conferences. As a Business Communication consultant she helps professionals communicate confidently and with success.