Diversity Day Seeks Peace and Justice Award Nominees

2007 Peace and Justice Award Winner Alice Hownestine presented the 2008 Award to Sue Rose of the McHenry County Housing Authority at Diversity Day 2008: Democracy is Our Hope.

Diversity Day 2009: We’re in this Together is seeking nominees for the Peace and Justice Award given annually at the festival since 1996.

The Peace and Justice Award is one of the most prestigious honor bestowed upon a McHenry County resident. It not only serves to honor dedicated personal service to the promotion of community peace, justice, diversity, and equality, but it is intended to highlight the work that the recipients do and the organizations that they serve.

The opportunity to nominate candidates has been extended through July 10.

Past Recipients have included:

1997—Werner Ellmann, Holocaust witness and human rights advocate
1998—Cindy Bloom, Native American activist
1999—Susanne Hoban, Family Health Partnership Clinic
2000—Gloria Urch, Community leader, journalist, educator, and Festival co-host
2001—Mary Fox, Peace Educator
2002—Libby Pappalardo, Founder of the McHenry County Peace Group
2003—Carlos Acosta, Latino Coalition
2004—Lou Ness, Former Turning Point Director
2005—Janie Galarza, Harvard Human Relations Commission
2006—Arielle Payne, McHenry County College student leader
2007—Alice and Bill Howenstine, Environmentalists and Quaker peace activists
2008—Sue Rose, McHenry County Housing Authority

Diversity Day 2009: We’re in This Together! is organized by the Congregational Unitarian Church.

Nominations can be sent to:

Patrick Murfin
Executive Director,
Diversity Day 2009
Congregational Unitarian Church
221 Dean Street
Woodstock, IL 60039
815 814-5645
DivDay@sbcglobal.net

Planning is under way for Diversity Day 2009. The 13th installment of the annual festival will be held on Sunday, September 27 from 1 to 4 PM on the Square in Woodstock.

The theme this year is We’re in This Together. “Tough economic times have taken a devastating toll on our community and nation while the world remains in turmoil,” festival Executive Director Patrick Murfin explained. “Sometimes fear and anxiety cause groups to turn on each other and bigots seek to exploit those fears. But in times like these we need each other more than ever. Our festival is meant to rally the whole community regardless of race, religion, national origin, language, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability in mutual respect and celebration.”

The festival is seeking multi-cultural entertainment for the program including musicians, dancers, and folk artists. “We are also looking for children’s programming and activities both on the stage and around the Square,” Murfin said.

Speakers will be invited from organizations to highlight their efforts at serving and improving the community cooperatively. Non-profit organizations, social service agencies, government agencies, issue advocacy organizations, religious groups, political parties and others in sympathy with the aims and purposes of the festival may also set up information tables on the Square free of charge.

Nominations for the Peace and Justice Award, presented annually at the festival, will be welcomed through the month of June. The Award is presented to an individual or individuals who have advanced the causes of justice, equity and compassion in our community and the world. “We are especially proud of this award which is meant to not only honor deserving individuals, but highlight their work,"Murfin said.

Sponsorship opportunities for the festival are also available, as are sustaining advertisements in the annual program book.

Diversity Day 2009: We’re in This Together! is organized by the Congregational Unitarian Church.

For more information about and opportunities to volunteer, support or participate in it, contact Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail divday@sbcglobal.net , write Diversity Day c/o Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean Street, Woodstock 60039.