Meet This Year's Outstanding Local Representatives!

The expression "it takes an army" could not be truer than when it comes to advancing human rights across the world. UUSC relies heavily on its supporters to advance its work, and one way it does this is through an extensive network of local representatives.

These local heroes help UUSC advocate alongside people who are often left out of the conversation on their rights — and it takes hard work, dedication, and effort.

Each year, UUSC gives its Outstanding Local Representative Award to volunteers who have shined in their work. This year's recipients are:

• Phyllis Morales, of Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden Colo.

• Sue Sherman, of the UU Church of Sarasota, in Sarasota, Fla.

Phyllis Morales has served as a UUSC local representative since 2005. To deepen her church's commitment to UUSC and its mission, Phyllis built a UUSC Task Force, comprising over 20 active participants.

After participating in three JustJourneys, Phyllis continues to be involved in the human-rights work she saw personally on her trips. Working with UUSC and its partner the Maya Achi Association for the Integral Development of Victims of Violence, she and other trip participants set up a scholarship fund, raising thousands of dollars to help indigenous youth stay in school after the fifth grade. Many have already benefitted from this work.

Sue Sherman has kept UUSC membership at extraordinary levels in her congregation, never flagging in her commitment. Recently, she organized participation in the Tents of Hope project, leading her congregation in creating a colorful tent that helped to educate people about the terrible conditions facing displaced women and girls in Darfur.

Responding quickly to the crisis in Gaza, Sue held a special campaign to support UUSC's Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Fund.

These dedicated local representatives, and hundreds of others throughout the country, help to propel UUSC's human-rights work forward.

Thank you to Phyllis and Sue!