FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                            DEC. 2, 2008 

LOIS BRONZ AND ISABEL VILLAR TO BE HONORED AT HUMAN RIGHTS DAY BREAKFAST

Winners of the Human Rights Commission’s Moot Court Competition will also be recognized

County Executive Andy Spano and the Board of Legislators will again join the Westchester County Human Rights Commission to celebrate International Human Rights Day at the Annual Human Rights Day Breakfast and Awards Ceremony.  The Breakfast will be held on Wednesday, December 10 and will honor outstanding Westchester residents for their commitment and dedication to promoting human rights and equality for all people.

            County Legislator Lois Bronz, former chair of the Board of Legislators and the first woman to hold that distinction, will receive the Commission’s highest and most coveted award, the Ossie Davis Human Rights Lifetime Achievement Award. Bronz is being recognized for her long-standing advocacy and commitment to human rights, racial justice, affordable housing and promoting education about these issues.

            Isabel Villar is the founder and director of Centro Hispano in White Plains.  She has been one of the community’s foremost leaders and has consistently advocated for the rights of Hispanic residents while providing counseling, developing programs and helping those in need get administrative and legal support. Villar is also the host of the Centro Hispano cable TV program “El Centro Hispano Informa” which provides ongoing information to the Hispanic community.

“In addition to honoring these outstanding advocates, each year the Commission selects a school or teacher to receive the distinguished Meritorious Award for furthering the cause of human rights to students”, said Delores Scott Brathwaite, executive director of the Human Rights Commission.  She noted that two teachers, Kathleen Connon of Scarsdale Middle School and Brooke McGeory of Port Chester Middle School,

will receive this year’s honor because of their “dedication and innovative ways of educating students about the importance of diversity and human rights.” 

 “Once again, the Commission has selected honorees who personally illustrate the importance of preserving and protecting the dignity of all human beings,” said County Executive Spano. “Each one of these individuals has been an effective, proactive and outspoken advocate for human rights.” 

Bill Ryan, chairman of the Board of Legislators, noted that Villar has been the driving force to promote equity in access to housing, jobs and education for more than 30 years.  She is known and respected for her success, and has shown great concern for those who strive to build a successful life for themselves and their families, he said.

Board colleague Lois Bronz has “challenged all of us in government by her deeds in service to others.  Whether it be through broad human rights efforts or bringing health services to local neighborhood children., Lois stands up for those in need,” Ryan said.

In addition to these honorees, the Commission held its Second Annual Donald N. Silverman Moot Court Competition for high school students and will acknowledge and honor the winners. The schools that participated in the competition, again held at the Supreme Court in White Plains, were Ardsley, Eastchester, Gorton, Harrison, Lakeland, New Rochelle, Pleasantville, Roosevelt and Rye Neck.  Some of the schools entered two teams in the competition. However, in the end, Gorton High School took home the trophy, with Rye Neck High School as the first runner-up.  Harrison High School won the award for Best Written Brief for Petitioner and Ardsley High School won for Best Written Brief for Respondent.  Ella Cohen of Rye Neck High School won the Outstanding Oral Advocate Award.

 “We were pleased to see so many young people participating in this event, which was even larger than last year,” said Mayo Bartlett, chair of the commission. “The talent that these students displayed was outstanding and the schools and advisors have to be commended for taking on this extra-curricular activity and doing it so well.” 

The Breakfast will be held at the Crowne Plaza in White Plains.  Registration opens at 7:30 a.m. and Breakfast will begin at 8:00 a.m.  The cost of the breakfast is $25 per person.

To make reservations, call (914) 995-8287 or (914) 995-7710.