Leadership Recognized with Annual Awards
By: Mark O'Neil - Posted on: 4/20/2009

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009 fourteen Wisconsin leaders will receive recognition awards from Diverse and Resilient. Among the recipients, youth, allies, program staff, and programs are honored for their efforts on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Wisconsin.

Bonnie Augusta will take the Adult Ally honors for her ongoing support and encouragement of school-aged LGBT youth in Wisconsin. Her list of accomplishments will be one of many highlighted at this year’s awards ceremony.

Abra Bankendorf of Madison will also receive honors for her work with LGBT youth in her community. GSA for Safe Schools’ exhibition program, Nazi Persecution of Homosexuals from 1933-1945, takes the Program of the Year honors for connecting school-aged youth to a significant piece of history. Tamara Martinsek of the Wisconsin AIDS Fund will be taking the Community Partner Award, with emphasis on their funding of LGBT youth programming in practical ways.

In addition, two youth will be honored with leadership awards. Rebecca Gilpatrick was selected from several excellent nominees in the 14-18 year old group. Jasmine Christian was selected in her age group, 19-24. Their respective organizations, Teens Like Us (TLU) and OutThere, have benefited from their leadership efforts.

Among individuals and programs honored for their work with adults, Rosanne St. Sauver will be awarded the Program Staff Award for her leadership as the first Executive Director of the La Crosse Area’s LGBT Resource Center of the 7 River Region. Shall Not Be Recognized, a photo exhibit highlighting long-term same-sex couples in Wisconsin, receives the Program Award.

This year, the Community Leadership Award will be given to an unprecedented three recipients: Jacqueline Lindo for her social art therapy programming with LGBT elders; Ronnie Grace for his work in the area of HIV prevention; and Susan Turell for her work in the area of intimate partner violence among the LGBT population in Wisconsin.

The Women’s Fund of Greater Milwaukee will be honored with the Community Partner Award and Carol Calvin will receive the Community Ally Award for her work with HIV prevention and care.

The Diverse and Resilient Leadership Awards for adults have been distributed since 2003; youth awards from the Rainbow Alliance for Youth date to 1998. Nominations for awards are accepted each January for the previous year’s accomplishments. This year honorees will be joined by family members and friends at a dinner donated by The Knick, a Milwaukee restaurant.