Among Stars, A Minority Girl is Treated with Equality

During the final weeks of the month of October, the Information Center continues to highlight videos that depict friendship and inclusion regardless of differences.

The video chosen for this week is a charming interview by a woman named Gloria, originally from Port Orchard, Washington who was a neighbour of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology and his parents. She tells of adventures of tagging along with Mr Hubbard and his long term friend, Clark Gable, on their breaks from screen-writing/editing and learning that no matter who people are – they matter.

‘Personally, this is one of my favourite videos,’ said Amber Skjelset, manager of the Scientology Information Center. ‘It’s a video of a woman who as a youngster, a girl and a minority, she found acceptance. In the late 1930s, this wasn’t always the case. It reflects what Mr Hubbard has often said about treating everyone with respect, ‘People have value and are important.’

‘Ron told me, ‘You learn something from everyone you meet. Everyone has a different quality. If you talk to them long enough, you’ll learn something that you can take into your life that can help you,’ said Gloria. ‘He was like a big brother to me, a wonderful big brother.’

The International Day of Friendship was designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UN). First becoming popular in the US in 2011, International Day of Friendship encourages people to connect and build bridges among cultures, countries and ideologies.

For those visitors also curious about the Scientology religion, Churches of Scientology or its founder, they are welcome to take a self-guided tour through the information panels in the Center’s grand lobby in the historic building. No appointment is necessary. Masks are required indoors in accordance with the Pinellas County mandate and are provided complimentary along with travel-sized bottles of hand sanitiser.

For more information on Scientology, visit their website.