I’d like to nominate Brittany Greer, the founder of Rosie Riveters, a 501c(3) that engages girls aged 4-14 in STEM. Since launching Rosie in 2015 she has grown it to serve 1,500 girls in the Washington, DC metro area. Her success led Good Morning America to profile Rosie Riveters and Brittany with a special live segment: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/video/celebrating-rosie-riveters-stem-program-young-girls-67649371


During COVID she has developed a program to deliver STEM kits to disadvantaged girls in the DC metro area, to ensure that even while isolated from school, they can still develop their STEM skills and passion while learning from home.


Brittany is tireless in her work to increase the representation of women in STEM and really deserves to be recognized for the exceptional difference she’s making in girls’ lives.

Name: Mary Linda Moss

City: Los Angeles, CA


Mary Linda Moss is an artist, an entrepreneur, my neighbor, and a hero. On a typical Saturday afternoon, in July of 2018, Mary Linda was at a local supermarket, shopping for groceries when chaos ensued. Following an altercation and a car chase, a man entered the store and began exchanging gunfire with the police outside. The store patrons, along with Mary Linda, became hostages in the standoff.


Mary Linda, being the calm, kind, compassionate leader that she is, engaged with the gunman, and became the mediator between him and the police via cellphone. Sensing that he was looking for a way out of the situation alive, she kept the gunman, and the other hostages calm while slowing the police down and managing the situation.


Mary Linda leads with her heart. She is brave, and strong, and she saved lives that day with her compassion. Angelinos are lucky to be able to call her a neighbor, and I am so proud to call her a friend.


(There are a number of accounts of the story which do it more justice.)

https://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-abcarian-hostage-20180803-story.html

https://www.wbur.org/kindworld/2020/04/28/marylinda-moss

I nominate Noor Chahal from Punjab, India. In the middle of the largest protest in human history, Noor left home to volunteer and support the protestors. Noor is currently on the ground with Initiators of Change. This organization is working to transform India by creating leaders from a young age. They’ve distributed medicine, blankets, and feminine care products to protestors. Noor and her friends keep spirits high, and shape the culture with their songs of protest, inclusivity, and attitude. Noor is a leader through action, and art.

Sheri Farmer has been a vital voice in the crime victims’ rights movement in Oklahoma for more than 40 years. Sheri’s oldest child, Lori Lee, was murdered on June 13, 1977, at her first night of Girl Scout camp, and from those first few days of loss, grief and confusion, Sheri and her husband, Dr. Bo Farmer, have continued on to advocate for victims and survivors across the state and around the country. Sheri founded the Oklahoma chapter of Parents of Murdered Children, and for 15 years they organized monthly meetings and served on the national board. Sheri has traveled the state of Oklahoma speaking to various organizations for decades, has received many awards for her time and dedication to enhancing victims’ rights, and has been recognized by the United States Department of Justice. She has also been a guest speaker at the National Compassion Friends Convention and the Center for Missing and Exploited Children. In April 2020, during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Sheri extended her commitment to the advisory board of Marsy’s Law for Oklahoma, an organization that she endorsed in 2017, and continues to serve the cause during the implementation phase of the constitutional amendment which passed in 2018.


Sheri is the first one to volunteer or lend her voice or name as it proceeds to benefit victims of crime and their loved ones. We’re constantly amazed by her energy and compassion for others. From terrible tragedy, and after many years, she fights alongside others to honor and preserve Lori’s memory, while bringing attention to the ongoing needs of rights and protections for all future victims of crime.

I also would like to nominate Nicoline Agersnap from Silkeborg, Denmark. She is the Chair of the Hasi Swimming Club, which caters to disabled children and adults, as well as their families and other members of the community. Core to their mission is that they are opened to any persons regardless of their abilities. During the covid pandemic, she’s especially put in a lot of work and effort to ensure that the members could keep swimming while also being safe.


My mum has volunteered at the club for many years, and when I was a child I’d go along and swim with the other children. Nicoline taught me how to swim back then as my coach, and over the years she’s taken on more responsibility and has done such a fantastic job. She’s done everything from coaching, editing the club magazine and now as the chair.

I want to nominate Pia Risør Bjerre (https://www.linkedin.com/in/pia-ris%C3%B8r-bjerre-9b9a71119/) from Denmark. Despite only being 26, she’s hugely impressive and such a inspiration. After having been a lifelong scout she was recently elected Chair of the Danish Green Girl Guides. In 2019 she was Denmark’s UN Youth Delegate.


However, my favourite part about Pia’s leadership record is her work as an Ambassador for Dialogue. This work focuses on encouraging dialog and understanding among young people across regions, nationalities and ideologies, and Pia is also a frequent moderator of debates across Denmark.

I nominate Chris Colin for helping creating a newspaper by kids, for kids. “Six Feet of Separation” started as a local paper at the start of the pandemic, for Bernal Heights, a neighborhood in San Francisco. It’s since become a local paper for all neighborhoods. “A newspaper for our troubled times,” as Dan Rather called it. Chris gave kids the space to meaningfully contribute to the neighborhood, to freely share their thoughts and fears, and to let their imagination run wild. Thanks to Chris we now have a “Quarantine Horoscope”, poems like “Ode to Hand Sanitizer” or the most relatable article, “I am not slow — I just have too many tabs open”. Thank you Chris, and to every kid that’s contributed. We hear you, we see you. The future is in good hands. Read and subscribe here! https://sixfeetofnews.com/

I am nominating Omoyosola Adenuga, who has been a parent leader and digital champion for us at Parents and Communities Together (PACT). She has supported fellow parents in our community to get online and get connected by providing one-to-one digital advice. She has helped families to set up the devices and WIFI we have provided and has enabled many families to confidently navigate the internet. With the pandemic and lockdown, this has been a lifeline to many families who have experienced extreme isolation, feelings of being left behind and difficulties accessing much-needed services, medical advice and information


Omoyosola has been a parent at our groups for over a year. Originally based in South-East London with her young child, she was moved away from her friends and social network and could no longer access the internet at her local library due to the pandemic. She really struggled in lockdown with ‘no internet, no TV and no radio’, but after receiving internet she was able to join our community Zoom groups, access accurate information about COVID and subsequently offered up her time to help other parents get online.


Omoyosola has been an inspiration to many in our community. Her support has not only facilitated the communities work to tackle Digital Exclusion but has also ensured that the families in need of the most support are visible and included. While navigating her own daily struggles throughout this pandemic her support has improved wellbeing, a sense of belonging and increased our families’ online skills. They have also been great role models, helping to empower parents and show that they can lead and help others.


Now more than ever, we can all appreciate the critical role internet access has in our lives, connecting us with people, ideas, education and activities. However, as Covid-19 and social movements like Black Lives Matter highlight the often-invisible inequalities in our society, digital exclusion has also emerged as a serious issue. People confined to their homes without phones or computers cannot socialise, access public services or even access up-to-date information about the pandemic.

2020 has been a year of upheaval, no more so than in Belarus where the election in August has led to civil unrest and mass protests. It is widely accepted that President Lukashenko rigged the election result, even after arresting his main opponent. The replacement candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya — a stay at home mother — agreed to stand in place of her husband and won enough votes to oust the president. However, she had to flee to Lithuania for her own safety. In her absence, protests carried on despite violence from the security forces. Women have consistently led these mass demonstrations and marches; believing they will face less backlash from the police and armed services than men. And while the men are beaten on the streets, many women have been arrested, beaten, tortured and raped. Yet still they protest. 73-year-old great-grandmother Nina Bahinskaya has become a unlikely hero, inspiring her fellow protesters by speaking out against Lukashenko and his regime and resisting police who try to stop her walking with her homemade flag of free Belarus. Her statement, ‘I am just walking,’ has become a rallying cry and crowds chant ‘Nina Nina’ when she is present. Her renown has not protected her however, and she has been arrested and detained by police on at least one occasion. I believe Nina Bahinskaya is inspiring and leading others and represents the best example of an everyday leader; someone who stands up for what is right even in the face of great personal danger. You can learn more about Nina here:

https://time.com/5895174/nina-baginskaya-belarus/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-53941984

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nina_Baginskaya

https://www.vice.com/en/article/889pe3/nina-baginskaya-belarus-minsk-protest-detained

Karen Demuth of Atlantic Beach, FL has been a leader in our community since she discovered the transformative power of music for her son, Dante. He was born with Down Syndrome and without an esophagus, was non-verbal with hearing and visual deficiencies. Dante lived in a solitary existence and was solely immersed in his battery operated toys. Karen was determined to improve his quality of life.

Traditional therapies provided a slow and steady growth, but the transformation she was hoping for in Dante didn’t occur. Everything changed when she discovered KinderMusik. After 3 months of home based music lessons, dramatic growth in Dante occurred. His social skills skyrocketed as he started to interact with those around him through music. Music unlocked his world.

After learning about the power of music, Karen asked has been on a nonstop mission! She was able to raise money for Connecting Thru Music and is providing a much needed for the disabled children in our area. Many people said it couldn’t be done, but through community effort, CTM was able to bring an enhanced learning music program to schools throughout our county.

Now, not only is Dante thriving, over 300 children with special needs in public and private settings are receiving this very vital service.

Currently CTM is providing music services to over 180 students at in-school programs and, after receiving a grant from The Kids Hope Alliance, children with developmental and intellectual abilities are receiving our services during after school and holiday/summer programs. Starting with the COVID19 pandemic, CTM introduced a virtual platform so that learning and development can continue at home and at sites when a live class is not feasible.

Now CTM is actively partnering with community organizations to bring music therapy to even more children with special needs. They serve pre-school through high school children with special needs who are in who are in our county and (soon) throughout Northeast Florida. Currently CTM funds two public elementary school programs during the school day and has received funding from The Kids Hope Alliance to provide after school and camp programs throughout the county.


Karen Demuth, Executive Director

Connecting Thru Music

1917 Beach Avenue

Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233

(904) 310-4827

[email protected]


https://www.connectingthrumusic.com/overview


https://www.connectingthrumusic.com/news/a-local-mother-is-on-a-mission-to-help-bring-music-therapy-to-duval-county-schools


https://www.connectingthrumusic.com/news/mom-creates-music-therapy-program-to-help-students


https://www.connectingthrumusic.com/news/music-therapy-program-helps-children-with-special-needs-in-neptune-beach


https://www.iheart.com/podcast/966-courageously-go-deb-29418089/episode/karen-zizmer-demuth-connecting-through-29434770/?cmp=ios_share#


https://www.connectingthrumusic.com/news/she-is-fierce-is-getting-ready-for-another-big-event


https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6a487f10472f47750291a2/t/5f910da61ed0c934c744261b/1603341740976/beaches_leader_article.pdf

Pastor Mike A. Waldron of First Corinthians Baptist Church of Harlem Has been an ongoing Support to many in need. He has provided free Mental Health Services Prior To and Throughout this 2020 Pandemic that has been life Saving and Changing to many who did not know where to turn. He and hIs Staff Supported the Census ensuring that folks participate and be counted, a vital outreach needed in our Community. They also Volunteer at his Weekly Food Pantry. He Fed Hundreds of Hungry Families for Thanksgiving, Provided Winter Coats for Hundreds of Disadvantaged Folks. He even Opened His Church During the Pandemic to Assure that Voters could cast their Presidential Votes in a safe environment. Pastor Mike has a Prayerline Monday-Saturday Mornings at 7:15 A.M. That has kept myself and many others Focused on God’s Love for us and His Provision even in the midst of Chaos. I Pray that He Would be honored for his Love in my Community, His light has been Shining in Harlem, and meeting the needs of our Community beyond compare. thank you Pastor Mike, Rita.

There are so many people in our community that have stepped up to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. From people making sure there is enough food to people who sent much needed computers. But I think that our leaders Judy Vaughan and Michelle Tonn of Alexandria House (https://www.alexandriahouse.org/) in Los Angeles, are the ones to be commended for being the “Yes” women that they are. No matter what the need that is brought to them is they have done everything in their power to bring miracles. From helping individuals find housing when they were homeless during a pandemic, to making sure that people stayed in their home even though they no longer had the income (and finding income sources for them), to providing food for those who were struggling to provide for their selves and their families. These women have coordinated the distribution of food to up to 1,800 people a week in Los Angeles, as well as toiletries, blankets, and many other needed items. And they have been there helping people every day of the week through it all.

I’d like to nominate Robin Adelson, who leads an an innovative childhood literacy organization called Books for Kids (https://www.booksforkids.org/). The organization is New York based, but serves children in dozens of cities nationwide. Books for Kids builds libraries and hosts early childhood literacy programs within preschools in communities that lack access to books. Recently, Robin spearheaded a new initiative to build libraries and host reading programs in homeless shelter across New York City, serving children who face tremendous barriers to regularly attending school and receiving books. Throughout the pandemic, she has led the creation of an online video library of Story Times with early childhood education specialists and resources for parents to use at home to promote literacy. Robin is singularly focused on children during the most critical years of their development, and her partnership with the New York City Department of Homeless Services and development of online learning materials are a powerful testament to her creativity, compassion, and impact on the lives of countless children. https://www.booksforkids.org/storytimeplaylists

https://www.booksforkids.org/newyork

I’m nominating Amber Vlangas from Connecticut – leading in Connecticut in New York. Amber is a survivor of sexual harm who is working to stop the cycle of harm. She is the Executive Director of a relatively new organization called the Restorative Action Alliance https://www.restorativeactionalliance.org/ and her bio can be found at https://www.restorativeactionalliance.org/leadership. In 2020, Amber and I teamed up to create a podcast called Amplified Voices at http://amplifiedvoices.show where we talk with people impacted by the criminal legal system. I’m proud to know and collaborate with her. She’s respected by lawmakers, survivors, people who have harmed, and other advocates. She’s a veteran who continues to give back to the country all while supporting her family. She is a true leader.

Name: Leah Yuyitung. City: Scarboruogh. I was leading a small group of parents before Covid, I knew about Leah as she often tried to help or community. All of a sudden after Covid she texted me if we need milk, she has some milk bags from food bank contacts. I asked parents in my group if they wanted some and they needed. Leah did so many deliveries from food bank to our market rental apartment. After realizing high need for food bank in the community she contacted few more organizations and all together they started the pop up food bank for our community that was blessing for many families in our group. I can not thank enough for her kindness and dedication to serve our community selflessly. She always asked what we need for community and I asked our parents. She did amazing job making connections to different organizations and they opened their doors for our community. Our group moms did some training courses like food handling and small business training to enhance their skills and get employment and Leah helped with everything from registering them to prepare for the exams. In order to giving back to the community we decided to make washable masks for community and she gathered all the supplies for our mask initiative. Kids received many books and activities during lockdown. Our parent group is grown to 147 parents from 40 parents now. After each distribution in 5 buildings in Woburn community we kept growing and started knowing and supporting each other. Leah was the one who made this possible. We still are team she is focusing on seniors and youth as well.

I nominate Zen Honeycutt, Founder and Executive Director of Moms Across America based in Mission Viejo, CA. Zen’s children became sick from our food supply as well as other toxins in our environment. In fact, she nearly lost her child on Thanksgiving day from a sudden food allergy. Thankfully, he survived. But the event changed Zen forever. She became a fierce leader for moms across the world who want their children to be healthy. Zen works tirelessly to make sure moms are able to provide their children with safe food, safe water, and safe vaccines. She is a beacon of hope for all moms. You can learn more about her organizations at: www.momsacrossamerica.com. Thank you!

Mrs. Naima Jefferson has worked to keep our community together throughout the Pandemic. She has organized contributions to our local food bank, a special dinner for first responders, the printing of absentee ballot request forms in our community newsletter before our Board of elections circulated them, the posting of Get Out the Vote posters throughout the neighborhood, an Adopt a Pot flower beautification project for the commercial corridor of the community, supporting our local school’s anti-racism campaign, and organizing support for the new state of the art shelter for people experiencing homelessness. She helped organize vitural debates with local candidates for elected office. In addition to this, she has organized virtua commity meetings with the police department, regulatory agencies, and elected leaders to make sure neighbors stay involved. As an encore, she sucessfully fought the alcoholic license renewal for a business that was causing disruption in the community. At present she is working to find a solution the proposed closure of our nieghborhood library. This is a partial list of her accomplishments while holding a high profile, full time job in a federal government agency and being a wife and mother to two remarkable young ladies in middle and high school. I believe that she typifies the kind of down to earth, everyday leadership that our communities need in these dark times. Thank you for considering her.

Mitch Brownlie from West End, Brisbane, Queensland.


He is fighting to bring attention to environmental issues, corruption & technology to make the world a better place for future generations.

www.facebook.com/mitchbrownlie


He is a founding member of the company FieldMicro; which is saving precious natural resources by developing high-tech farming hardware & software.


He has made serval large donations to install water-bores in more than 20 African villages. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=site%3Athewaterproject.org+%22Mitch+Brownlie%22


He has been a member of delegations traveling to countries such as North Korea & Antarctica to learn about the clear & present dangers facing this planet. He has been to 80 other countries to study a wide range of government & civilian issues.


He is a widely heard advocate of the environment, the rising cost of living & education within a number of party policy committees.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-brownlie?originalSubdomain=au


For the last few months, he has been leading a development project in Cambodia to introduce ‘pyrolysis systems’ to convert ocean plastic into fuel for the communities there. www.instagram.com/mitchbrownlie

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter in support of the nomination of Jenn Wallage for being an amazing leader within the Waterloo Region. I have known Jenn for the past nine years and have been volunteering, alongside Jenn, with Girl Guides of Canada for three years and looking forward to more to come with her as well!


Jenn is an active community leader and a positive role model for girls and women. She works hard as the President of the ETFO Waterloo Region Designated Early Childhood Educators Local (WRDECE Local), is self-employed with Playing It Safe and volunteers with Girl Guides of Canada.

Jenn is an inspiration to our youth with Girl Guides of Canada. She is a positive role model and allows for the girls voices to be heard, encouraging them to be leaders and not be fearful. Jenn strives to offer rich and meaningful activities, trips and camps that foster the girl’s creativity skills and confidence. She ensures an environment that is inclusive to all and a safe space for the youth to achieve their best, form friendships and have fun!


Through her work in ETFO Jenn is a strong advocate for members and their rights. She continually works towards improving the working conditions of all DECEs, and is also a member of the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO). Jenn is determined to ensure equity and inclusiveness in the workplace and is proactive in seeking equality for all Early Childhood Educators in Ontario. She volunteers her time to speak up at forums and town halls, trying to help improve the lives of others. She cares deeply and it shows.


Jenn is a true leader and a pillar of her community, whether it be her work community, Guiding community or home community. She is a natural leader, mentor and an amazing role model to women everywhere.

On behalf of Volunteer Haiti Incorporation, I am nominating Yvenson Joseph, our most engaged volunteer in Haiti, in 2020. Yvenson has been very creative and collaborative in leading some of our projects in Haiti. Living in a difficult county, Yvenson never asks for remuneration or compensation, he always puts first, the wellbeing of those in need.


Yvenson Joseph is an exceptional leader…

I am nominating Zen Honeycutt, Founding Executive Director of Moms Across America out of Mission Viejo California. To me she represents the best of the best and I searched long and hard before I found her and decided to align with her and Moms Across America. She didn’t want to be a leader, but after she saw what was happening with the health of our children and the health of our country she took on a leadership role and hasn’t stopped. She is also an author and international speaker, educating and inspiring thousands on creating healthier lives for their families and communities. No one deserves to be recognized more than Zen. Please see more about this dynamic woman at momsacrossamerica.org or zenhoneycutt.com .

Zen Honeycutt, Founder of Moms Across America, has done an amazing job of educating mothers and others about issues that affect our health and wellness. She works so hard and has such passion for humanity our well being. She deserves this award! She is amazing!

I nominate Sue Simmons of Massillon, Ohio. Sue helped start The Serving Area Military Center 5 years ago…a place where veterans can get food, clothing, hygiene items, a lodging kit when they move into a home, etc. She is always at the front desk answering many calls and helping veterans. Sue is also a Blue Star Mother and active in her church outreach program. She is kind, sympathetic, and a leader to all of us volunteers. Sue can never do enough for our veterans! PLEASE PICK HER AS ONE OF YOUR FINALISTS!

I nominate Zen Honeycutt, Founder and Executive Director of Moms Across America based in Mission Viejo, CA. Zen went from being a concerned mother with sick kids of her own to a voice of moms everywhere who are striving to create healthy families and communities in a toxic world. Zen is also a speaker and author who is always at the forefront of possible threats to our health and safety, educating herself and others and speaking out with solutions. Her community knows her as a compassionate mom who can be counted on to speak the truth, and is tenacious in her search for it. Mothers depend on her to create community, inspire action, and lead. Zen envisions a better, healthier world for children everywhere. Particularly this year, where we are so focused on this moment in time, Zen is dealing with today while seeing beyond our current situation and working to create a better future for the next generation. I appreciate her tireless commitment and focus on behalf of families everywhere. You can learn more about her organization here, https://www.momsacrossamerica.com/, and more about Zen here, http://www.zenhoneycutt.com/.

Jack Lucero Fleck has been a volunteer leader with 350 Bay Area since its inception, holding leadership positions across the organization. Jack has been quietly instrumental in the work of the organization, which promotes policies at all levels of government that reduce climate and health harming emissions. Recently, Jack was instrumental in the hard work of planning and executing a series of regional summits to highlight policy solutions and promote discussion between organizations, community members, and local government representatives. You can find the recordings here: https://cemtf.org/events. Jack is also an unsung hero for the substantial behind the scenes work that he does, including as Treasurer for the organization. Climate change is an immediate threat, accompanied by the acute impact of air pollution; Jack is at the forefront of effecting local, regional and state level solutions, with great competence, grace and inclusiveness.

I’d love to nominate Crystal Feliciano, a fellow resident here in Trenton, New Jersey. Not only is crystal an educator in the schools, she’s an educator and community advocate outside of the schools. Wether it’s signing people up and getting out the vote for previously incarcerated folks who now have the first time to vote in NJ, or protesting gun violence in our neighborhoods with Moms Demand Action, or even helping citizens fill out their census forms ensuring that everyone from every community is counted.


I’m sure there are great people out there that do all of this, but they’re not from a town like ours. Trenton is ranked 50 out of all 50 Capital Cities in the United States and has a death rate past NYC and our town is just 7.5 sq miles. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, our town had an unemployment rate double the size of the nations average. Crystal have away over 200 pair of sneakers to youth in need, and has been helping feed the homeless community here and was as look for permanent solutions to such issues in town.


And she did all of it while being a single mother. She’s the true definition of a super mom, and an engaged citizen.

I would like to nominate Mr. Binoy Chacko as a leader for going beyond during the Pandemic by managing chronic pain and bringing in a difference in the Mississauga community.


Pain Management has been one of the biggest concerns during Pandemic. While everyone considers sheltering-in-place and social distancing vital during COVID-19, these necessary measures have had severe consequences for patients with chronic pain.


While following the protocols laid by the province, despite having to alter and reduce the operations of Kerala Ayurveda Pain Clinic and Rehab Centre, Mr. Binoy Chacko has been helping the community tirelessly to fight chronic pain.


He has played a vital role in triaging patients including seniors and the vulnerable in order to provide immediate care and relief. He has provided safe and timely treatment to the patients thereby reducing future effects of increased pain, worsening mental health and overdose of substance use. Thanks to his continues efforts in easing pain in the Mississauga and Malton community.

John Cartier’s civic engagement covers a broad scope of issues and has been tremendously effective in creating change. His day job he is the Voting Rights Director for Civic Nebraska, which runs an Election Protection Program that has changed the face of Nebraska Elections to help ensure that they are more equitable and accessible. In particular, this year, with COVID, we have faced unprecedented challenges to our elections, and Cartier has been at the front of working with election officials to ensure fair and balanced elections. I have seen how his sharp mind and dedicated advocacy has made significant systematic differences.

But that’s just a part of his role as a valued leader in our community. He also has served in a variety of roles and is regularly engaged in public life in systematically vital ways. In particular, the moment that inspired me to nominate him was when civic unrest turned into large scale protests, he saw the discriminatory practices used to limit free speech. So he dusted off his law degree and agreed to represent anyone who needed an attorney to ensure the protection of their civil rights. This shows the kind of true leader that he is.

His work on Election Protection has helped create a far more engaged and knowledgeable state that has ensured that our election statutes are properly followed. His leadership in creating a broad coalition ensured the most extensive data set in the nation on election accessibility for people with disabilities. This, in turn, helped to provide our elected officials with valuable information that ensured Nebraska passed the most disability-friendly election statutes in the United States.

Then he took his passion for access to healthcare for people with chronic conditions and helped to lead the ballot initiative to legalize medical marijuana. His role as a unique thought leader and work in communities helped to ensure surprising levels of participation even faced with the limitations of a pandemic.

If that wasn’t enough when civic unrest turned into large scale protests, he saw the discriminatory practices used to limit free speech. So he dusted off his law degree and agreed to represent anyone who needed an attorney to ensure the protection of their civil rights.

Jessica Morgan, Pontypridd, Wales, is an inspiration and does so much for her community as well as being a Mum to four young boys. She is an exceptional leader – always positive but also determined and selfless in her efforts in ensuring everyone is treated fairly and equitably.


When floods devastated the community earlier this year, she jumped into action and played a vital role in supporting affected residents and coordinating others to help. She also helped organise a concert that not only raised a significant amount of money for flood victims but also brought joy and hope to them.


When Covid then hit, she was the first to volunteer and offer support. Nothing is ever too

much trouble for her, and she is always generous in giving her time to supporting others.


She runs so many different groups from her church and is also one of the main leaders of Pontypridd Community Choir.


Pontypridd is close to her heart and she gives her all to the town and its people. It would be a much poorer place without her vitality and dedication.

Alicia D. Smith is amazing! She is a resident of Minneapolis and leads in so many fronts from Youth development to Housing. Alicia has been a leader in keeping working class families with food in their cupboard since Feb 2020 when COVID struck she sprang into action opening up a food support resource center in her neighborhood that was accessible to all even offering delivery to people who were unable to get around. She has since help to operate over 5 additional pop up food resource center in and around her neighborhood serving over 100,000 lbs of food to over 10,000 families. Alicia has also been involved in other important happenings in her city assisting with creating an Black Land Trust as well creating a coalition of boots on the ground organization to address violence in the community. In addition to all of that she is the executive director of the neighborhood organization by day and freedom fighter by night. She has even been featured in the LA Times and many other local and national news pieces: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-08-16/black-lives-protests-and-covid-19. To put it simple I think she is awesome and so do thousands of others.