As part of the more than 2,000 “No Kings” protests held across the country on Saturday, June 14, about 65 demonstrators gathered outside the Bethesda Barclay House, an independent living residence in downtown Clayton, to protest President Donald Trump and what critics view as his authoritarian leanings and threats to democracy—symbolized by his planned military parade.
Some of these protestors came with walkers and handmade signs, chanting slogans like “We have a Constitution, not a king” and “We rule by law, not by decree.” Leading the charge was 87-year-old Barbara Finch, the driving force behind the event. Finch, who received a Jewish Light Unsung Hero Award in 2019 for her advocacy with Women’s Voices Raised for Social Justice, is no stranger to speaking out.
“When I heard about the ‘No Kings’ demonstrations, I wanted to take part,” said Finch, who lives at the Barclay House. “But I have a walker, and I’m old — going downtown would’ve meant having to be chauffeured and standing too long. So I figured, why not bring the protest to us? I thought that if I felt this way, chances are plenty of others in the building did, too.”
And with that, a front-yard protest was born.
As Finch puts it, “Getting old doesn’t mean we have to give up.” That spirit—of persistence, passion and quiet determination—is exactly what defines the Jewish Light’s Unsung Heroes.
Now in its 16th year, the Unsung Heroes awards celebrate volunteers making a meaningful difference in the community without seeking the spotlight. Nominations are currently open, with a deadline of 5 p.m. Friday, June 27. Submissions can be made online at stljewishlight.org/heroes.
The Light solicits nominations of volunteers making a major impact through their work without seeking substantial public recognition for their efforts. These people tend to fly under the radar. Honorees can be individuals or groups who are Jewish making a difference in the local Jewish community and/or the community-at-large OR non-Jewish individuals or groups making a difference in the local Jewish community.
The 2025 class of Unsung Heroes will be honored at a special event on Oct. 26 at the Jewish Community Center, and featured in the Light’s Unsung Heroes magazine, publishing Nov. 5. Event co-chairs are Debbie Lefton and Amy Fenster Brown. Tickets will go on sale in August.
To view past honorees, visit stljewishlight.org/unsung-list.
