The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities is proud to present the 2024 Civil Rights Leaders, Legends, and Equity Forum and Awards Ceremony on November 14th at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville from 5:30 to 9:30 PM.
The night is a celebration of Connecticut civil rights activists and leaders and the work they have done in our communities.
Join us to honor winners of the CHRO Leaders and Legends Awards
- The Alvin W. Penn Award for Excellence in Leadership: Alvin Penn was an African American state senator from Bridgeport, who fought tirelessly for the city, the urban poor and for African Americans across the state. He is best known for legislation that mandates the collection of traffic stop data in an effort to deter racial profiling in the state. Nominees for this award must be municipal, state, or federal officials who exhibit the leadership qualities of Alvin Penn.
- The Katharine Hepburn Award for Using Media as a Platform for Social Change: This award will be presented to an agent for social change through the Arts. The award is named after Katharine Hepburn, an American actress from Old Saybrook Connecticut. She is known for appearing in films and breaking down traditional gender roles of women in popular culture.
- The Constance Baker Motley Award for Excellence in Business or Law: Constance Baker Motley was an African American civil rights activist, lawyer, judge, and state senator. She was the first female African American federal judge. Nominees for this award must be business men or women or attorneys who are distinguished in their field for promoting equality and fairness.
- The Maria Colon Sanchez Award for Community Activism: Maria Colon Sanchez was an activist and politician who, in 1988, became the first Hispanic woman elected to the Connecticut General Assembly. She founded the Puerto Rican Parade Committee in 1964 and also co-founded La Casa de Puerto Rico, the Society of Legal Services, the Spanish-American Merchants Association, the Puerto Rican Businessmen Association, and the Community Renewal Team. Nominees for this award must be dedicated to their communities and exhibit the spirit and grass roots organizational skills that promote diversity and inclusion.
- The Edythe J. Gaines Award for Inclusive Education: Edythe Gaines was the first African Americanand first woman to head the Hartford school system. Her career began in New York City. She was the youngest principal in the history of the New York City School system and its first African American principal. In 1960 she became District Superintendent of Schools, Community School District 12 in the Bronx. After her tenure as Superintendent, she became a Commissioner at the Department of Public Utility Control in CT. Nominees for this award must be educators who dedicated their careers to promoting equality, inclusion and fairness in education.
- The Mario and Janet Vigezzi Award for Social Justice: Mario Vigezzi worked for the CHRO for twenty-five years and was the chief of field operations. He fought for equality and for the rights of brass workers. He was a member of many organizations including the NAACP and AFSCME. Janet Vigezzi was employed as a stockbroker and in the urban planning field. She was a member and officer of the North End Community Club of Waterbury, the Waterbury NAACP, League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the Ellis Island Foundation. She was also the treasurer of the Northwest Connecticut Emergency Medical Services Council. Both were advocates for social justice and equality. Nominees for this award must advocate for employee rights and promote equality through their work.
- DEI Leadership Award: This award will be presented to a professional or organization who has shown remarkable commitment to fairness and justice and has acknowledged that we don’t all start with the same advantages. This individual or organization should be distinguished in their field.
- Equity Innovation Award: This award will be presented to a professional or organization who has shown initiative by developing or assisting in the development of a program, or artificial intelligence that promotes equity in the workplace or in places of public accommodation.
- Youth Equity Award: This award will be presented to a youth between the ages of 10-18 who shows promise in creating a program or initiative that promotes equity.
- Youth Social Justice Award: This award will be presented to a youth between the ages of 10-18, who has developed a social justice initiative that has impacted one of twenty-eight protected classes covered by the Commission.