State Civil Rights Commission Recognizes Montgomery County, State Leaders

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission today announced the winners of the commission's Montgomery County Advisory Council Joseph X. Yaffe–Robert Johnson Smith Civil Rights Awards. The annual awards recognize civic, religious, law enforcement and education leaders who have advanced civil rights and equal opportunity in Montgomery County and throughout Pennsylvania.

"The commission proudly recognizes this outstanding group for their leadership and courage in advancing equal opportunity," Commission Chairman Gerry Robinson said. "Their contributions have improved the quality of life in Montgomery County and across the state, for everyone, regardless of who they are, what they look like or how they worship."

The awards are named for two prominent Montgomery County civil rights leaders and Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission chairmen. The commission's Montgomery County Advisory Council has presented the awards since 1983. The council honored awardees during its annual civil rights luncheon.

"The advisory council is our valued partner in raising public awareness of civil rights and how crucial equal opportunity is to the economic and educational prosperity of our communities," Robinson said. 

This year's awards included a new Trailblazer Award, given to two long-time commission staff members for years of dedicated service to the state:  Milagros Vega, of Willow Grove, who recently retired, having served as an investigator and educator; and Michael Hardiman, of Downingtown, Chester County, who will retire from his position as the commission's chief counsel in July. 

Other award categories were: Lifetime Achievement, Law Enforcement, Advocacy for Equal Opportunity, Education, Student Service, Ethnic Harmony and Community Service. 

Media contact: Shannon Powers, 717-783-8266

Editor's Note: Following is a list of winners and the categories in which they are honored. All but Hardiman are Montgomery County residents.

• Joseph A. Daye, Pottstown – Student Service (Grades 6-12)
• Bruce Dearnley, Ambler – Homer C. Floyd Lifetime Achievement
• Gioia A. Flowers Smith, Ambler – Outstanding Service
• Lyn Fields, Ambler - Education
• Michael Hardiman, Downingtown, Chester Co. – Trailblazer
• Olatunde Oladipo, Pottstown – Student Service (Grades 6-12)
• David E. Poindexter, Cheltenham – Advocacy for Equal Opportunity
• Officer Mark A. Stead, Lower Providence Township  – Law Enforcement
• Marietta Jones Tanner, Willow Grove – Community Service
• Oscar P. Vance, Jr., Norristown – Homer C. Floyd Lifetime Achievement
• Milagros Vega, Willow Grove – Trailblazer
• Laura Wall, Ambler – Ethnic Harmony & Interfaith Understanding

SOURCE Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

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