Local Human Rights Awards Recipients

Inspired by the Eleanor Roosevelt quote, "Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. [...] Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world." Since 2010, the UNA-USA Southern Illinois Chapter commemorates Human Rights Day by recognizing a local individual or organization that advances Human Rights.

Human Rights Awards Recipients

2016 Recipients

Good Samaritan Ministries

The Good Samaritan Ministries, under the direction of Mr. Mike Heath, for their tireless efforts to alleviate hunger and homelessness in Southern Illinois.

2017 Recipients

The Race Unity group

The Race Unity group for their work on peacemaking and building bridges in our local community.

2018 Recipients

Thanet Natisri

Mr. Thanet Natisri for his role in assisting the rescue of 12 soccer players and their coach in Thailand and for his work with the Aquifer Recovery project to help with water storage in Thailand.

2020 Recipients

Laurie Ryznyk

Laurie Ryznyk for her personal and professional efforts on the state and local levels, to bring awareness and care to human trafficking victims.

2021 Recipients

Carbondale Warming Center

The 2021 Human Rights Day theme is: EQUALITY: Reducing Inequalities and Advancing Human Rights, which relates to article 1 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” In keeping with this theme, the 2021 Human Rights Day Award to goes to the staff of the Carbondale Warming Center, under the leadership of Carmelita Cahill, for its work providing shelter, food, and other services to persons in our community without discrimination. The services provided by the Carbondale Warming Center help its clients live up to their full potential thereby restoring their dignity.