Public Speaking
Thomas Grassia’s Achievements in Public Speaking
Public Speaking
In addition to his talks about aviation and helicopters, Tom’s lectures and speeches have included subjects such as police misconduct; the role of the Salvation Army in America; “Doing Good and Avoiding Bad” (Developing and keeping good character traits in a challenging and often mean-spirited world); and inspirational talks related to opportunity and confidence building.
Supporting the Arts, Charities, and Worthy Causes
Tom’s list of supported organizations and causes is as diverse as it is noteworthy. His patronage has extended to museums of art, science, and wildlife and to orchestras, schools, and colleges. He is a significant contributor to breast cancer research and enjoys a strong reputation for hiring, encouraging, and advancing women employed by his law firm. He has always fostered an “all that you can be” philosophy in his daughter and other young women and is strongly supportive of women’s rights, health, and opportunities.
While an undergraduate student of Professor Howard Zinn at Boston University, Tom authored a friend of the court brief which was used to defend and support a woman’s right to birth control information. His brief was used as a reference in the subsequent Supreme Court case which struck down the prohibition against disseminating such educational material.
Tom was Chairman of the Salvation Army Corps’ Board located in Framingham, Massachusetts for almost a decade, promoting programs to aid the less fortunate and often delivered lectures regarding the role of the Salvation Army in America, in local communities, and around the world. He could often be found serving food from the Army Corps kitchen, most especially at Christmas and other major holidays.