Three social justice activists were honored by UUSC with its annual leadership awards for their exemplary work advancing the cause of human rights. UUSC also recognized three of its local representatives for their outstanding contributions to promoting UUSC’s work within their congregations.

The awards were presented at UUSC’s annual meeting, held during the 2007 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association, held in June in Portland, Ore.

Social Action Leadership Award

The Social Action Leadership Award was established in 1977 to honor creative, inspiring, and effective leadership by an individual or group working for justice in cooperation with UUSC. Honored this year was the Rev. Dr. Richard Gilbert of Rochester, N.Y.

A full-time minister for 44 years, including 32 years at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, N.Y., Gilbert has been engaged with the work and values of UUSC throughout his entire career. Today, he still finds time to serve as guest preacher and part-time social justice coordinator for the St. Lawrence Unitarian Universalist District. An ethicist, author, and activist, he helped his Rochester church develop a model for social justice ministry that has gone on to be adopted by many others in the denomination.

Mary-Ella Holst Youth Activist Award

Sam Bryson-Brockmann of South Nassau UU Congregation in Freeport, N.Y., was awarded the 2007 Mary-Ella Holst Youth Activist Award. This award is given annually to recognize and honor the achievements of an individual or group of youth who are advancing human rights and social justice through activism and leadership in collaboration with UUSC.

As a high school student, Bryson-Brockmann took on both fundraising and consciousness raising, creating numerous opportunities for his fellow students and congregants to contribute to efforts such as Gulf Coast recovery and ending the Darfur genocide. Of the money he raised, he used a portion to help pay the way for other youth to participate in the JustWorks camp in the Gulf Coast.

Seminarian Award for Excellence in Social Justice

Honored this year with the first annual Seminarian Award for Excellence in Social Justice was Renee Zimelis Ruchotzke of Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary. The Seminarian Award recognizes and honors the exemplary work of a seminarian who advances the mission of UUSC by linking and integrating the work of UUSC with the Principles and Purposes of the UUA and the spiritual lives of UUs.

In addition to being a seminarian at Meadville Lombard, Ruchotzke serves as the interim director of the religious education at East Shore Unitarian Universalist Church in Kirtland, Ohio, where she organized a program of exploration and reflection around the human right to water. Among her other achievements, her leadership of her congregation’s Guest at Your Table service in November 2006 inspired a 24 percent increase in contributions from the previous year.

Outstanding local representatives

The outstanding local representatives named for 2007 were:

Judy Bonner and Herb Altos of First UU Congregation of the Palm Beaches, Fla., who “combined determination, persistence, and tactical intelligence in accomplishing their goals.”

Fiona Knox, Pacific Unitarian Church, Ranchos Palos Verdes, Calif., for her “well-deserved reputation, in her congregation and the broader social justice world of Southern California, as a passionate activist, one who brings a beautiful elegance and creativity to her work.”

Sue Robinson, First Parish Church, Norwell, Mass., who “interweaves UUSC into the fabric of congregational life, using a light touch as welcoming as it is effective.”