Antonella Makdessi, Youth Leadership Award

The 38th Annual Human Rights Awards Breakfast was held in Tampa this morning with a moving program of awards and testimonials. The theme: Freedom Riders: Then and Now, was brought to life with three courageous individuals who had ridden buses and planes to address discrimination and segregation when they were college age. One of the speakers, Winonah Myers, when reflecting on the determination of these young leaders remarked, “Who better to instruct the morality of this nationan than its children?” Their story has been documented by Dr. Ray Arsenault who wrote the book detailing their stories which was subsequently made into an award winning PBS documentary. Continue reading “Tampa/Hillsborough Human Rights Awards Breakfast” »

Nella Makdessi

On Friday, December 9, 2011, the Tampa/Hillsborough County Human Rights Council will hold its 38th Annual Human Rights Awards Breakfast at the Doubletree Hotel – 4500 W. Cypress Street. The program will begin at 7:30 a.m. and honors the 50th anniversary of the Freedom Riders historic movement to integrate public spaces in southern states, beginning in May of 1961.

In edition to hearing from a panel of local Freedom Riders who participated in the Civil Rights movement 50 years ago, the Council will also recognize individuals for their accomplishments in our community during 2011 on behalf of Human Rights. Continue reading “Nella Makdessi, ANYTOWN graduate, wins Human Rights Youth Leadership Award!” »