Suzanne Durham, retired CEO of the YWCA Central Alabama, has dedicated her life to promoting understanding, acceptance and dignity. In March, she will be honored for her commitment to building bridges within our diverse community and for her efforts in eliminating racism and prejudice.
The NCCJ of Alabama will present Durham with the James A. Head Lifetime Achievement Award during its 44th Brotherhood and Sisterhood Dinner, scheduled for March 5, 2015 at 6 p.m. at the Harbert Center. Tickets are $150, and proceeds will fund Camp Anytown, a weeklong social justice program for high school students in the Birmingham area offered by NCCJ in partnership with the YWCA.
Founded in 1932, the National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ) is devoted to fighting bias, bigotry and racism through advocacy, conflict resolution and education. Since 2006, NCCJ has presented the lifetime achievement award to individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to pursuing the goal of the agency’s mission. Brotherhood and Sisterhood awards will be presented to Judge Houston L. Brown, presiding judge of Jefferson County’s 10th Judicial Court; Lisa Engel, community volunteer; and Fred McCallum, president of AT&T Alabama.
Camp Anytown began in 1989 as an NCCJ project and has been presented in partnership with the YWCA since 2011. Since its inception, more than 1,400 “Anybuddies” have graduated from the camp, which empowers students to become leaders in creating a stronger, more inclusive community for all.
“Anytown is a program that Suzanne wholeheartedly embraces because she believes in the power of youth to move our community closer to the fair and just place that it needs to be,” said Joan Witherspoon-Norris, director of social justice for the YW. “Suzanne was instrumental in cultivating the partnership to implement Anytown, and her leadership has left its mark in countless ways in our community. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”
To purchase a ticket to the dinner, or for information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Lauren Morgan at (205) 419-7085 or [email protected].
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