OU students and faculty as well as Athens community members were honored for work concerning issues such as racism, sexual assault, health education and fracking.
A day after Ohio’s primary presidential election pitted voters against each other over divisive political stances, United Campus Ministry brought people together to celebrate work being done to solve such issues.
UCM’s 33rd annual Social Justice Awards ceremony was held Wednesday to honor individuals and groups who work toward social justice at Ohio University, in Athens and in neighboring communities.
UCM’s board of directors nominates and selects the award winners.
Lois Whealey received the Kuhre Griesinger Lifetime Achievement Award which honors a person who has previously won a UCM social justice award and maintains high levels of activism. Established in 2008, the Kuhre Griesinger Lifetime Award is named for former UCM directors Rev. Jan Griesinger and Carol Kuhre. Greisinger helped present the award to Whealey.
Whealey won an award in 2007 and has a long history of championing social justice problems, such as fair housing, women’s reproductive rights and environmental justice. When accepting her award, she highlighted her recent work on the executive committee of Democracy Over Corporations, which was founded in 2010 to oppose the Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court decision.
Tyrone Carr, the executive director of Interlink Alliance, was recognized for his work to ensure all people equal opportunity in a safe and accessible environment. Carr has previously worked in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Office of Student Financial Aid and the Human Resources Office, according to UCM’s program.
“It’s my ethos to advocate for and on behalf of the disenfranchised … and to encourage my sons, who are here tonight,” Carr said. “As a dad and as a mentor I want them to continue to realize helping others overcome adversity and oppressive behavior is also a part of their DNA.”
Katie Conlon, a senior studying history in the Honors Tutorial College, was commended for her work as a co-founder of the Center for Law, Justice & Culture, a member of F--kRapeCulture and a Peace Fellow in Palestine.
Jolana Watson, a senior studying media and social change, and Bobby Walker, a junior studying women’s, gender and sexuality studies in the Honors Tutorial College, received the award for their work concerning sexual assault, racism and tuition hikes. They currently host dinners every Friday for people of color to “talk about politics and race issues without … microaggressions,” Watson said. Watson accepted the award on behalf of herself and Walker, who could not be at the ceremony.
Griesinger said seeing young people work toward social justice is “so encouraging that they keep on keeping on.”
Sherri Oliver, the executive director of Live Healthy Appalachia, accepted the award on behalf of the group, which focuses on health and wellness education in local counties, including Athens.
UCM awarded OU Climate Action Now for the organization’s work concerning climate change and pushing OU to commit to sustainable and renewable energy.
Torch CAN DO was formed eight months ago by residents of Torch, Ohio in response to fracking in Athens County. Heather Cantino, last year’s Kuhre Griesinger Lifetime Award winner and a steering committee member for Athens County Fracking Action Network, presented the award to Felicia Mettler and Susie Quinn, who accepted on behalf of Torch CAN DO.
@erindavoran
ed414911@ohio.edu
