The Human Rights Celebration is usually held the first Friday in September. An award is presented to an individual(s) who has demonstrated a personal involvement in the struggle for human rights; who belongs to organizations that stand up for human rights, or who stands up for human rights as part of their job.
Church Women United remember that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms… without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status” (Excerpt taken from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, written by the UN in 1948).
These words should be in the forefront of our minds as we support, work towards, and fight for the rights of all humans. This is the same message that Jesus gave while on earth. When He said, “Love one another as I have loved you,” He did not mean for us to love just some people, He truly meant for us to love everyone. This has been the message of CWU since our beginnings in 1943 and will continue to be one of the pillars that supports and drives our movement.
2006-2007
Dr. Kathleen O’Malley, accompanied Iraqi families to detention centers to locate family members.
Berta Campos, began Mujeres en Accion, a catering service that employs immigrant women
2007-2008
Dorie Bunting, peace activist
Suzanne Stalls, midwife trainer in developing countries
2008-2009
Claudia Medina, Enlace Communitario, serves victims of domestic violence
Helen Fox, Director, APS Title 1, food & clothing for homeless students
2009-2010
Katherine Augustine, Nurse Educator in Intravenous Therapy
Virginia Cavalluzzo, Director of Education, UNM Children’s Psychiatric Hospital
2010-2011
Nannie Sanchez, living with Down syndrome, a freelance advocate for those who are “differently
enabled”.
Gretchen Shipley Crowe, founder and director of Early on-Set Dementia Group
2011-2012
Ruth Hoffman, Executive Director, Lutheran Advocacy Ministry-NM, “Called to Advocate for Justice in
Public Policy”.
Annette Limbrick, long-time volunteer with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
2012-2013
Dr. Jennifer Moore, Professor of Law, UNM, teaching courses in International Law,
Human Rights Law and Refugee & Asylum Law. Most recent publication:
Humanitarian Law in Action Within Africa