> 2007 Windsor Bridge-Builders Honorees Announced
2007 Windsor Bridge-Builders Honorees Announced
| The Town of Windsor's Human Relations Commission and Citizens for a United Windsor (CUW) presented 2007 Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards to longtime community activist Patricia Gardner and Windsor Board of Education member Doreen Richardson. All town residents and businesses were invited to a special reception and ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 27 in the Council Chambers on the lower level of Windsor Town Hall at 275 Broad Street. Earlier this year, the community was invited to nominate individuals, organizations or businesses for the Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards and a panel of judges reviewed all entries. Patricia Gardner: Raising awareness of African-American achievement and heritage is very rewarding to Patricia Gardner, a lifelong Windsor resident who feels that this subject received inadequate attention in her school years. She believes that bringing the truth to light about African-American contributions throughout history may change some of the negative attitudes and stereotypical views that unfortunately exist. As Chair of Windsor's Archer Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church Community Relations Ministry, Pat has worked with Ministry members to present educational programs for Windsor students and townspeople. Presentations have included: the "Black Inventions Exhibit" co-sponsored with Windsor Public Schools; "The Windsor Prayer Vigil for Hurricane Katrina Victims and Survivors"; and "A Black American's Perspective of 9/11." Another was "Windsor Community Pays Homage to the Tuskegee Airmen," a tribute to racially segregated World War II Army Air Force units, revered in World War 2 history for their successes and sacrifices. Throughout her adult life, Pat has found ways either in her job or as a volunteer to build bridges for all kinds of people. She participated in Windsor's initial race relations study circles and has participated in the town's Conversations on Race. While employed by Windsor Town Government, she worked with "A World of Difference," which conducted a diversity training seminar for town staff. This led to staff diversity training that included town residents. She also staffed Windsor's Human Relations Commission and conducted workshops for town staff on sexual harassment laws and the rights of people with disabilities. Additionally, she initiated efforts to increase the number of the Town's minority employees. At Central Connecticut State University, she serves on the African-American Advisory Committee. Other roles have included facilitating forums to address racial tensions among culturally diverse students and co-facilitating a workshop entitled "Does Being Different Make a Difference at CCSU?" Doreen Richardson: Dozens of Windsor citizens who have participated in Windsor's Conversations on Race owe considerable gratitude to Doreen Richardson who chaired the committee that made it happen. In her second year, the community discussion topic was the achievement gap between black and white students in Windsor schools. In the fall of that year, Doreen decided to get closer to finding solutions for that problem by winning election to the Windsor Board of Education. She currently serves as the Board's secretary, and continues to work toward equity for all our children. Recently she hosted small groups of parents at her home on Jay Circle to hear their views about Windsor schools. "I was deeply impressed," Doreen says, "By their commitment to influence positive change in our district." Doreen believes that both teachers and parents are working diligently to close the achievement gap but she is convinced they need to find new ways to support each other. She also believes that all of us have a huge stake in their success. This generation will come of age as millions of World War 2 baby-boomers enter retirement. A strong, productive, racially integrated work force will be essential to sustain the social and economic well-being of our communities. Doreen was born in a little village in Barbados, the youngest of seven children. In 1984, she and her family settled in Hartford and moved to Windsor in 2001. The Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards was created 13 years ago to honor individuals, organizations and businesses that make an outstanding contribution to human relations in Windsor. It is sponsored by the Town of Windsor's Human Relations Commission and Citizens for a United Windsor (CUW) which both work to foster greater trust, understanding, and solidarity across the full spectrum of Windsor's racial, ethnic, and religious diversity. To be eligible for the Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards, all nominees must live or work in Windsor. An individual, organization, or business must meet one or more of the following criteria: Has promoted or promotes the elimination of racism and discriminatory attitudes and practices in Windsor; Has worked or works to establish cooperative relationships with groups concerned with human relations; Has promoted or promotes equal opportunities for all people in Windsor; Has worked or works to further an understanding of a multicultural society in Windsor; and Has worked or works to further communications and understanding between racial, ethnic, and religious groups in Windsor. The following factors were considered when the judges reviewed the nomination forms: Innovative contributions to individuals or the community; Leadership; and Quantity of volunteer time; and philanthropic gifts or other types of contributions. Windsor residents attended a special reception and ceremony in Windsor Town Hall to honor the winners of the 2007 Windsor Bridge-Builders Awards. The 13th annual awards program was sponsored by the Town of Windsor's Human Relations Commission and Citizens for a United Windsor (CUW). Honorees were nominated by local residents for outstanding contributions to human relations in Windsor, and were selected by a panel of judges. Pictured Left to right: - Bill Warner-Prouty, Windsor Bridge-Builders Award emcee and a member of Windsor's Human Relations Commission and Citizens for a United Windsor; - 2007 Windsor Bridge-Builders Award Honoree Patricia Gardner; - Max Kuziak, Chairman of Windsor's Human Relations Commission; and - Windsor Mayor Don Trinks. Not pictured: The other 2007 Windsor Bridge-Builder Award Honoree Doreen Richardson |