Edwina Garcia Receives 2008 Award

The Human Rights Commission presented the 36^th Annual Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizen award to Edwina Garcia during the June 10th Council Meeting at City Hall.  Garcia is a long-time Richfield resident who has made many outstanding community contributions to her neighborhood, to local organizations, and to Richfield’s civic life.

Edwina has always been committed to serving and improving the Richfield community. Her many activities include serving as a Girl Scout leader, advocating for low-income families, and serving on organizational boards such as the Office for Spanish Speaking Families, Casa de Esperanza (domestic violence prevention/shelter), and the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership Board.  She has also served two terms on the Richfield City Council and four terms as State Representative for Richfield and Minneapolis, in addition to serving on the City of Richfield Human Rights, Community Services, and Charter Commissions.

She is currently the Chair of the Richfield Community Council and Board member of the Greater Minneapolis Council of Churches.  Other memberships include the League of Women Voters, Women’s Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus and the VFW Post 5555 Ladies Auxiliary.

Barbara Louis and Nancy Lindberg, who both nominated Edwina for this award, describe her diverse service, dedication and caring personal involvement for the people of Richfield as truly demonstrating the values and practices recognized by the Outstanding Citizen Award.

The 36^th Annual Gene & Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizen Award was presented to Edwina Garcia at the Council meeting on June 10, 2008.  A reception was held in the City Hall lobby before the award presentation.

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Award Background

The Richfield Human Rights Commission has selected a Citizen of the Year award recipient since 1971.  The award is given to a family, group, organization, business or individual who lives or works in Richfield and whose actions demonstrate an awareness and commitment to the attitudes and practices that foster human understanding, tolerance and the spirit of human relations.

Past Recipients:

CLICK HERE

Nominations for 2009 Award

Nominations for one of the most prestigious awards available in Richfield, the “Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizen Award,” can be submitted at any time, for selection every May by the Richfield Human Rights Commission.

This annual award honors a family, group, organization business or individual that lives or works in Richfield.  The Human Rights Commission gives the award to recognize outstanding community service, a commitment to human rights, or improving our community and making it a better place for all.

There may be someone in your organization or neighborhood that you feel is deserving of the award.

We encourage you to complete the attached nomination form.  The nomination should be no longer than one page in length, but should include enough information to explain why the nominee(s) should be considered for an award that recognizes the “outstanding citizen” in Richfield.  The Commission bases their decision on the written information that is included in the nomination. 

Nomination form:

Nomination Form

Email, fax, or mail nomination forms to:

Human Rights Commission
Attn: Kathy Farris
6700 Portland Avenue South
Richfield, MN 55423
612-861-9749 (fax)
Kfarris@cityofrichfield.org

Deadline:

TBA