GREENFIELD — Seven years after the Human Rights Award was last presented, the Human Rights Commission is restoring the annual recognition and is looking for the help of the community to do so.
“As far as guidelines [for how to select a recipient], we’ll open up the floor to public input on what those guidelines should be,” said commission Chair Mpress Bennu. “We really want the community to be really involved in the commission this time.”
The Human Rights Commission meeting on Monday at 6 p.m. will offer the public a chance to share their thoughts on what qualities or characteristics they want to see in the 2023 award recipient. The link for the remote meeting can be found on the city calendar online, or at tinyurl.com/HRCMeeting1. The meeting passcode is 000096.
Bennu said when she became chair in September, one of her priorities was to restore the Human Rights Award.
“I’m all about community, about bringing people together,” she said. “I feel like there are so many … people doing things to contribute to the betterment of our community.”
In 2016, the commission presented Joan Featherman with the Human Rights Award. Featherman, who previously served on the commission from 2004 to 2008, was chosen for her work with women and children at the New England Learning Center for Women in Transition (NELCWIT) and with the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Bennu said after seven years, it is time to begin recognizing people for their contributions to the community again. Any Greenfield resident is eligible to be nominated.
“It could be an organization; it could be a grandmother that stays home and knits quilts for kids at the shelter,” Bennu said. “It has nothing to do with who you are and what positions you have. We’re going to look at everything about this person.”
Following Monday’s meeting, the Human Rights Commission will consider everyone’s input and decide on final guidelines for choosing an award recipient. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to submit nominations.
An award ceremony is expected to take place in December, coinciding with National Human Rights Day.
Residents who are interested in playing a more active role in the Human Rights Commission should email a letter of interest and a list of qualifications to mayor@greenfield-ma.gov to be considered for one of the commission’s two vacancies. There are currently seven members.
Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.