5 RI Civic Leaders and Groups Receive 2019 National Assoc. of Secretaries of State Medallion Award
GoLocalProv News Team
5 RI Civic Leaders and Groups Receive 2019 National Assoc. of Secretaries of State Medallion Award
The local award winners are H. Philip West, Navyn Salem, Clifford Montiero, Community Angels, Inc., and Millennial RI.
“I’ve long said that the best public policy comes when there is a diversity of opinions, backgrounds, and perspectives around the policymaking table. Rhode Island is fortunate enough to have such a diverse selection of community leaders. Leaders who inspire Rhode Islanders from all walks of life into taking an active role in their community. Today’s honorees remind us all that the diversity in our Rhode Island experience is a powerful tool as we seek to build a better Rhode Island,” said Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe five leaders received the award from Gorbea at a ceremony that took place on Wednesday afternoon.
About the award recipients:
H. Philip West served as the executive director of Common Cause for nearly two decades. His work brought about significant legislative reforms in the mid-1990s and separation of powers in the mid-2000s.
Navyn Salem is the founder and CEO of Edesia Nutrition, a non-profit manufacturer of nutritional products designed to combat childhood malnutrition all over the world. Salem has helped save the lives millions of children while creating meaningful good-paying jobs for many Rhode Islanders.
Clifford Montiero has been working to advance civil rights in Rhode Island since he was a teenager. Montiero led the Providence chapter of the NAACP for more than a decade and has been an outspoken champion for civic engagement and voter participation in Rhode Island throughout his life.
Millennial RI has been an active voice in the Rhode Island community on the issues that are important to an entire generation. Their advocacy and network continue to ensure that countless young people #ChooseRI when planning their future.
Los Angeles de la Comunidad (the Community Angels) is a grassroots organization founded by the late Laura Rodríguez in Providence’s South Side. The group has been instrumental in their local community– hosting voter registration drives, food drives and one of the largest Holiday Toy and Coat drives in the state.
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