Article Contributed on: 11/20/2007 7:09:29 PM
Shewaga Gebre-Michael and
Carina Gilford, freshmen at the University of Colorado in Boulder, each received the Youth for Human Rights Hero Award at the 2nd Annual Colorado Human Rights Hero Awards, co-hosted by the Church of Scientology of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Youth for Human Rights Club.
The award ceremony was recently held at the Tivoli Center on the Auraria Campus in Denver following a human rights conference on gang violence. Hero Awards are given to recognize young people and caring adults who have made an impact in their area through human rights activities and the implementation of one or more of the 30 human rights described in the United Nation's Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Ms. Gebre-Michael and Ms. Gilford co-chair the Freshman Action Team of the Black Student Alliance at CU Boulder where they direct a team of volunteers who reach out into their community and help others. Their team tutors minority youth in elementary schools in the Denver and Boulder areas; they cook in soup kitchens to feed the hungry; they do environmental clean-up projects and they educate youth about AIDS and give cultural presentations on black heritage. Both young women have become role models for the youth that they work with.
Also awarded as Colorado Human Rights Heroes were
James Tucker, founder and publisher of the African-American Voice and Reverend
Heidi McGinness, Outreach Director of Christian Solidarity International, U.S.A..
Mr. Tucker's publication, the African-American Voice, is a regional monthly newspaper that emphasizes civil and human rights issues. Mr. Tucker also publishes "Colorado's Guide to Diversity" which keeps the public informed on diversity subjects, events and issues. Mr. Tucker has been a crusader for civil and human rights in Colorado Springs for many years, working with his community, his neighborhood and with the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
Pastor McGinness' work has taken her to war-torn Sudan, Africa for the past four years where she has succeeded in liberating over 700 men, women and children from slavery. She has also delivered thousands of tons of grain and basic living supplies and hundreds of pounds of medicine as well as spiritual support and hope.
The Rocky Mountain Youth for Human Rights Club was formed in 2005 and is a local club affiliated with Youth for Human Rights International, an organization dedicated to educating youth about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights so they can become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace. The Church of Scientology has teamed up with Youth for Human Rights International to launch a public education program to make human rights known, understood and implemented.