The prestigious HRC Arizona 2009 Individual Equality Award was presented to Cynthia Leigh Lewis on Saturday, March 21, at the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner and annual fundraiser held at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale. Ms. Lewis was honored for her exceptional commitment, leadership and initiative in the struggle to correct social injustice in Arizona and bring awareness to the mission of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) for fair and equal treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT).
Each year HRC Arizona, the local volunteer committee of HRC of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, recognizes one individual whose passion for equality embodies the memorialized words of Harvey Milk (1930-1978), an American politician and the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, who said, “All young people, regardless of sexual orientation or identity, deserve a safe and supportive environment in which to achieve their full potential”.
“Cynthia Leigh Lewis is our choice as the individual that exhibits extraordinary vision and courage that inspires other to join in confronting and challenging equality,” Linda Elliott, board of directors of the HRC and the co-chair of HRC Public Policy Committee. “She demonstrates the dedication required to encourage and create a profound revolution of equality for all humans in the mission of motivating others to stand up, move forward and change the world. She is an inspiration to us all.”
Cynthia Leigh Lewis, MSW, is a renowned expert in fundraising, advocacy, strategic planning and political consulting. Her outstanding efforts in Arizona are represented by the partnerships created with organizations, her representation of political candidates and her enduring commitment to several statewide initiative campaigns. She provides the structure for others to achieve financial goals, cultivate relationships and create a vision for long-term sustainability.
Photographs of the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala award winners, guests and honorees are available at http://phoenix.hrc.org/image/tid/41. Information regarding the dinner is available online at http://www.hrcazdinner.org.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—March 10, 2009— Honeywell International will receive the coveted HRC Arizona 2009 Corporate Equality Award for their commitment to fair and equal treatment of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. The award will be presented to Honeywell dignitaries at the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner taking place on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Arizona is the local volunteer committee of HRC, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, working to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community and achieve fundamental fairness and equality for all. The gala is HRC Arizona’s largest annual fundraiser and every year HRC Arizona pays tribute with the Corporate Equality Award to a business that exemplifies HRC’s mission and goals. This year’s gala dinner, BELIEVE, features entertainers, guest speakers, honorees and award winners with the much anticipated silent art auction which raises critical funds necessary to continue HRC Arizona’s work. Information and tickets are available at www.hrcazdinner.org.
“Honeywell International is representative of corporate excellence for their commitment to equality and fairness in the workplace and their steadfast dedication to end discrimination in our communities,” said Linda Elliott, board of director of the HRC and co-chair of HRC Public Policy Committee. “Honeywell is an outstanding symbol in corporate equality, as a Fortune 100 company with a workforce of 128,000 in more than 100 countries they recently were recognized with an HRC Corporate Equality Index 100 percent rating for the third year in a row.”
HRC evaluated 583 businesses on a scale from 0 to 100 percent on their treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees, consumers and investors. Honeywell achieved the distinguished 100 percent rating in the 2009 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) Report. Of 255 Fortune 500 businesses rated in the CEI, 120 received 100 percent ratings. The average CEI rating of Fortune 500 companies was 83. For more information about the CEI ratings visit http://www.hrc.org/issues/workplace/cei.htm.
Honeywell International is a $37 billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; turbochargers; and specialty materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For additional information, please visit www.honeywell.com.
ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations. HRC contributed over $150,000 in Arizona in 2008 to its advocacy of equal rights. This included funding the NO to Prop 102 campaign in addition to providing dedicated, experienced staff to work with the campaigns of local candidates supportive of equality and with allied organizations. Visit phoenix.hrc.org for more information about HRC Arizona.
Media Contacts:
Phillip Baker
HRC PR Co-Chair
602-412-1995
Jamie Glass
Artful Thinkers
602-369-5537
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—February 10, 2009— The 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner committee will unveil artist’s donations for the annual fundraiser event during the March Downtown Phoenix First Friday Art Walk and Annual Art Detour Weekend. Artist and owner of The Chocolate Factory, Hector Ruiz has generously donated studio space to display the distinctive art auction collection that will help raise funds for Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Arizona, the local committee of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization. The donated works will be on display March 6 – 8 at Hector’s studio located at 1105 NW Grand Avenue in Phoenix.
Lara Taubman, eminent freelance international curator and art critic, is creating the exhibition of prized works donated to HRC Arizona for the 2009 fundraiser. The annual black-tie gala takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2009 and features renowned speakers, honorable guests and entertainers to help raise critical funds necessary to continue HRC Arizona’s efforts to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community and achieve fundamental fairness and equality for all. Tickets for the gala dinner and silent art auction are available www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc.
“This year’s HRC event will feature downtown Phoenix artists, a small but vibrant community of diversity and fearlessness whose art work reflects the complexity of the social and political situation of the city while engaging the distinctive design and architectural communities, downtown development and the visual art that is made many times in these renovated, historic buildings,” said Lara Taubman, Honorable Curator for HRC Arizona Gala. “For individuals, who support development through the arts or the support of their local businesses, the HRC event is more than a silent auction to support the worthy HRC cause, it also supports the downtown Phoenix community by spreading the word and giving exposure to artists who similarly believe that art is a tool that can create communities.”
Ms. Taubman is the Southwestern correspondent for internationally acclaimed art journals such as Artnews, Contemporary, Modern Painters and Sculpture magazines and has written for numerous others. She has curated exhibits at the Heard Museum for Native American Art, the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and also creates exhibits worldwide. She recently closed a three-year exhibit of Abstract Expressionist Art curated through the Art in Embassies Program in the United States Embassy residence in Bucharest, Romania.
Assisting Ms. Taubman are Honorary Auction Co-Chairs for the 2009 HRC Arizona “Believe” Gala Dinner Claudine Sanchez and Jon Westbrook. In addition to the artwork, there are various items in the silent auction including exciting travel, healthy, beauty and various services packages that will be showcased online at http://hrcazdinner.org/index.php/auctions prior to the dinner. To make donations, contact the Co-Chairs for information at auction@hrcarizona.org. Corporate sponsorships are also available.
HRC contributed over $150,000 in Arizona in 2008 to its advocacy of equal rights. This included funding the NO to Prop 102 campaign in addition to providing dedicated, experienced staff to work with the campaigns of local candidates supportive of equality and with allied organizations.
To attend the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, visit www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc for tickets or call 800- 494-8497. Individual tickets are $200 if purchased before February 14, 2009 and $250 if purchased after this date. Student tickets are available for $100 with a school ID. Visit phoenix.hrc.org for more information about HRC Arizona and www.hrcazdinner.org for updates about the dinner.
ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations.
Media Contacts:
Phillip Baker
HRC PR Co-Chair
602-412-1995
Jamie Glass
Artful Thinkers
602-369-5537
Event to feature fine dining, silent auction and special guest speaker Chelsea Handler
PHOENIX, ARIZONA—January 26, 2009—The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Arizona, the local committee of the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization is pleased to announce that BELIEVE, the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, will take place on Saturday, March 21, 2009. The highly regarded annual event raises critical funds necessary to continue HRC Arizona’s work to end discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and achieve fundamental fairness and equality for all.
The 2009 BELIEVE Gala is HRC Arizona’s largest fundraiser of the year. Attendees will enjoy a memorable evening complete with fine dining, a silent auction, guest speakers and a much anticipated appearance by Chelsea Handler, renowned television host, stand-up comedian, actress, and author of two best-sellers. Ms. Handler is the star of Chelsea Lately on E! Cable Television Network. Her career spans regular appearances on the Oxygen Network series Girls Behaving Badly and roles on The Bernie Mac Show, The Tonight Show, Weekends at the D.L and The Practice. Festivities begin at 5:30 PM at the Camelback Inn Resort and Spa in Scottsdale. Information is available at www.hrcazdinner.org.
“We are especially excited to be honoring Chelsea Handler with the Ally for Equality Award for her visible and vocal support in our quest for equality,” said Nathan Treanor, co-chair of the HRC Arizona Gala Dinner. “Chelsea Handler continues to be an icon in the entertainment world in addition to supporting a worthy cause of equality for all.”
Honorary Co-Chairs for BELIEVE include Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard and US Representative from Arizona’s 1st Congressional District Ann Kirkpatrick. The featured guest speaker is HRC’s Chief Diversity Officer, Cuc Vu.
“Our annual dinner is the largest fundraiser each year and the support of the community to HRC Arizona has been outstanding in the past. We are experiencing strong interest again this year with our line up of guest speakers and the featured appearance of Chelsea Handler,” said Kathy Young, co-chair of the HRC Arizona Gala Dinner.
HRC contributed over $150,000 in Arizona in 2008 to its advocacy of equal rights. This included funding the NO to Prop 102 campaign in addition to providing dedicated, experienced staff to work with the campaigns of local candidates supportive of equality and with allied organizations.
To attend the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner, visit www.boxofficetickets.com/hrc for tickets or call 800- 494-8497. Individual tickets are $200 if purchased before February 14, 2009 and $250 if purchased after this date. Student tickets are available for $100 with a school ID. Corporate sponsorships also are available. Visit phoenix.hrc.org for more information about HRC Arizona and www.hrcazdinner.org for updates about the dinner.
ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against GLBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all. HRC seeks to improve the lives of GLBT Americans by advocating for equal rights and benefits in the workplace, ensuring families are treated equally under the law and increasing public support among all Americans through innovative advocacy, education and outreach programs. HRC works to secure equal rights for GLBT individuals and families at the federal and state levels by lobbying elected officials, mobilizing grassroots supporters, educating Americans, investing strategically to elect fair-minded officials and partnering with other GLBT organizations.
Media Contacts:
Phillip Baker
HRC PR Co-Chair
602-412-1995
phoenix@cox.net
Jamie Glass
Artful Thinkers
602-369-5537
jamie@artfulthinkers.com
On Sunday, January 11. 2009 the Phoenix Annual Dinner Committee held a Table Captain party at the beautiful home of Christina and Bill Sargeant.
Guests were greeted with a grand staircase and vaulted ceilings that evoked a historic Mexican hacienda. The garden was designed and inspired by the Aranjuez garden at the Summer Palace in Spain. The Golden Globes served as the backdrop to the party and its theme. Complimentary spirits were provided by SideBar, Hensely Budwiser and Young’s Market. The food was provided by Mark Howard and FEZ.
The party was a success and the Dinner Committee was able to register 13 Table Captains.
Registration starts at 5:30
Silent Auction – 5:30 – 7:00
Dinner Program – 7:00 – 9:30
Ticket Prices:
$250/person ($200 before 2/15/09)
$100/person (student ticket – with valid student ID @ registration)
$75/person (Federal Club Members)
Register for the 5th Annual HRC Arizona Gala Dinner now!
The HRC Arizona annual gala awards dinner is an annual event to raise vitally needed funds for the work of HRC. It also provides an opportunity for local supporters of GLBT equality to come together for a fun evening of dining and entertainment. The success of these events helps in the fight for equal rights for all people. Our past gala dinner successes have been a direct result of all the dedicated and talented volunteers– that’s you!
We are hard at work on our next gala awards dinner coming up March 21, 2009 at the Camelback Inn of Scottsdale. More details will be coming soon.
