HYANNIS – The Barnstable Human Rights Commission commemorated International Human Rights Day yesterday with its annual breakfast.
The event at the Hyannis Golf Course serves as an opportunity to bring together the community to celebrate the successes made in human rights causes over the past year and to look ahead at upcoming opportunities to better serve populations in need across the county.
“Meetings like this bring together people who are like minded and raise our passion and commitment to continue in the future against several obstacles,” said Alan Milsted, the chair of the commission.
This year’s Cornerstone Award which is given to an organization or individual who fosters and supports human rights was presented to Cape and Islands Special Olympics. Mashpee Special Olympics Athlete Amanda Church accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
“In Special Olympics it is ‘yes you can.’ At work it is ‘yes you can,’” Church said. “The word ‘no’ is no longer. It is ‘yes we can.’ We can strive to our goals and we can achieve anything we put our minds to.”
The Rosenthal Award which is given to an individual in the private sector who has worked to advance human rights was presented to Cape Air CEO and former Cape and Islands State Senator Dan Wolf.
Wolf said it was a huge honor to be recognized by the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission.
“I think this morning was a celebration, not only about how much progress has been made but how much work we have to do to really advance human rights,” Wolf said. “There are some significant challenges in our society today and it was heartwarming to be in a room with people really trying to work on those challenges.”
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