Celebrate International Human Rights Day!
Human Rights: Know Them, Use Them, Protect Them
Thursday Dec 10th, 2015
Reception Begins 5:00 pm
Speakers & Awards 6:00pm – 7:00pm
First Amendment Center – 1207 18th Ave S, Nashville TN 37212
Purchase Tickets – $10
Proceeds will help Tennessee Students attend a Model UN session.
Join us for the Tennessee celebration of International Human Rights Day!
International Human Rights Day occurs every year to commemorate the ratification of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations on Dec 10, 1948. In Tennessee, Human Rights Day has become a day to reflect and look at lessons learned and battles won, while various human rights groups join forces and commit to creating an even better future.
Tennessee will celebrate Human Rights Day on Dec 10, 2015, in Nashville. The day begins at 5pm, with a reception and exhibits by human rights organizations. Then at 6:00, the presentations and awards will begin. Speakers will discuss various human rights topics related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Awards will be presented for lifetime achievement in the field of human rights, along with two awards for Rising Advocates.
This year, Rising Advocate Awards will be given to three individuals who have made great strides for human rights and show even greater promise for the future. They are Ashford Hughes, an emerging leader for the labor movement who has been a proponent of labor and worker’s rights; and Aisha Lbhalla with the Muslim Women’s Council who has been working for religious freedom and cultural diversity.
The award winner in the category of Outstanding Service is Dr. Marisa Richmond, the first trans woman to win an election in the state of Tennessee, for her tireless work to ensure transgender equality and equality between Caucasian and African American transgender people in Tennessee.
Lifetime Achievement awards will go to Kwame Lillard, who was significantly involved in the management of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Nashville sit-ins, and the Freedom Rides and training of Freedom Riders; and Bernard Werthan, a founding member of the Family of Abraham and Faith and Culture Center, as well as member of the Community Advocates Advisory Council joint initiative of Vanderbilt Medical Center and Meharry Medical College, past board member of Goodwill Industries, Community Nashville, Urban League of Middle Tennessee, Nashville Business Minority Center, and YWCA Advisory Board, among others.
During the ceremony, there will be a special posthumous tribute paid to lifelong civil and human rights activist Francis Guess.
The planning committee is accepting registrations for information tables to appear at the event, and has issued a call to student artists for works depicting the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Educators and youth group leaders should consider having their high-school aged students study the Declaration and submit works of art!
Want to help with the event? Contact us!
Download a Flier (pdf)