Palm Springs Community Service Awards recipients announced
The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission announced Thursday, the recipients of its annual Community Service Awards “Promoting Universal Human Rights Close to Home.”
This recipients are:
Lucy Debardelaben & Gail Christian – Palm Springs humanitarians Lucy and Gail are recognized for advocating for women through music. Together, they raise awareness of the diversity and talent of world-class female musicians who traditionally struggle for recognition and employment. Ruth Debra – Community organizer and lifelong civil rights advocate. Debra is a founding member of the L-Fund and the first female Chair of the Desert Stonewall Democrats. She also sits on the National Steering Committee for Old Lesbians Organizing for Change. The Palm Springs Human Rights Commission is a nine-member commission of volunteer citizens, appointed by the City Council for three-year terms. It meets at 3 p.m. on the second Monday each month at City Hall. Meetings are always open to the public and anyone with a human rights issue or question is invited to participate and speak during the public comments. Brad Fuhr – Founder and publisher of the Gay Desert Guide. Brad aligns business goals and initiatives with causes and social issues that benefit the wider community. From supporting and promoting youth housing, access to health services along with a variety of social services. Goldie Jacoby – Holocaust survivor and volunteer at the Tolerance Education Center. Goldie shares history of surviving the Holocaust during World War II and delivers a message of courage and hope to youth in the community. Mike Radford – California Highway Patrol Officer Radford is recognized for making a difference in the lives of children and families throughout the Coachella Valley. Senior Advocates of the Desert – The Coachella Valley’s only non-profit social service organization that is dedicated to exclusively helping low-income seniors obtain the government benefits to which they are entitled. From benefit advocacy to providing emergency financial assistance, their work results in seniors receiving a liveable income, having food in the kitchen, and a safe comfortable place to live. Metropolitan Community Church of the Coachella Valley – is recognized for their advocacy for equality, human rights and social justice. In addition, the church is well known for being one of the first to perform same-sex marriages and for suing the state of California (first in 1971) to recognize marriage equality.
The award ceremony, open to the public, will be held on Feb. 12 at 3 p.m. at the Council Chamber at Palm Springs City Hall.
