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Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards:
2002 recipients |
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Access Award
William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award
Constance E. Hamilton Award
See 2002 photo gallery
Access Award
 Sergeant Brian Keown (posthumous) established the Parking Enforcement Disabled Liaison Unit in 1999. The mandate of this unit is to improve the transport and parking experience of people who have barrier-free parking permits.
Brian attended many public events, conferences and focus groups (often on his own time) to disseminate information about the Disability Liaison Committee and the principles of barrier-free parking in Toronto. The various sub-committees have advocated for progressive changes to legislation and he was instrumental in developing mechanisms to implement barrier-free parking policies.
Brian also testified before the Ministry of Citizenship regarding the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and was active on the Canadian Standards Association Committee on Barrier-Free Access. His volunteer activities over the years included working with the Spinal Cord Society and coaching hockey teams. Sadly, Brian passed away suddenly in February of 2002. He was a wonderful, warm and kind man, who advanced the efforts of people with disabilities in Toronto immeasurably.
 David Lepofsky is a founding member of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) Committee, which was formed just prior to the Provincial election of 1995. The mandate of the ODA Committee is to act as an advocate to the Provincial Government for legislation which would to remove the barriers to full equality. The work undertaken by David and the ODA Committee resulted in an ODA Act, which was passed by the Ontario Legislature on December 14,
2001. The ODA Committee has become a strong advocate for the removal of barriers and the rights of people with disabilities and has established regional branches, produced action kits and a Web site.
Over the years, in an effort to ensure that ODA would come to fruition, David has become one of the chief spokespersons for the disabled community in Toronto and across the province. He has spent countless hours speaking and lobbying to government and stakeholders.
David's work has been recognized by a number of universities, the Canadian Public Health Association and he has received the Order of Canada. David is a scholar, advocate for disability rights and an outstanding citizen of the city of Toronto.
William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award
 Lillian McGregor is an Ojibwe from White River First Nations and a member of the Crane Clan. Since coming to Toronto over 40 years ago she has become a respected Elder or Grandmother in the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community. She has provided blessings and teachings at many civic events over the years, including Human Rights Day celebrations, an economic development conference and at the Environmental Summit in 2001.
Lillian was part of the Olympic committee that went to Russia during Toronto's campaign to host the 2008 Olympics. She has served on a number of boards and organizations including the Native Canadian Centre and Native Child and Family Services. Most recently, Lillian became the Elder-in-residence at First Nations House at the University of Toronto where she counsels Aboriginal and other students who seek her out. Not long ago, she received an honourary doctorate from the University of Toronto in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the community.
Lillian's teachings stress relationships between cultures, gender and disability. She believes strongly in building bridges between communities.
 Michael "Pinball" Clemons is a former professional football player for the Toronto Argonauts and is currently the President and Head Coach. Since the early 1990s he has been a positive force in the promotion of race relations throughout the city of Toronto.
Michael has a special interest in the youth of the city, in particular high-risk youth. He has organized numerous youth leadership and mentoring programs including his "Stay in School" exhibition games against high school athletes with the Toronto Catholic and Toronto District School Boards that included multi-talented professional and amateur athletes.
Michael's message on equity, educational advancement and respect for diversity has been well received by educators, students and parents alike. His audiences are often ethno-racial youth and their families, and he has never been hesitant to reach out to those in need, on and off the court or field.
 Jehad Aliwiewi was Executive Director for the Canadian Arab Federation for seven years during which he worked determinedly to combat racism and discrimination against Arabs and Muslims. After September 11, 2001, his work took on special significance when members of the Arab community were faced with a backlash and forced to defend their position in Canada.
Jehad became a key spokesperson for the community and was instrumental in educating the media, community groups and the government. He provided documentation of the severity of the Anti-Arab and Muslim backlash through countless articles and interviews. Jehad put a human face on the fears and concerns of the Arab and Muslim communities.
Jehad has worked hard to reach out to other communities and other race relations and human rights advocates to build partnerships and has become well known in these circles for his dedication and selfless struggle for justice.
Constance E. Hamilton Award
 Mubarka Alam is an advocate, liaison counsellor, friend, mentor and concerned citizen who plays an active role in women's lives and is truly a selfless humanitarian.
As a social worker, Mubarka has contributed both as a professional and volunteer, through her culturally sensitive programs in support of high-risk youth, the Muslim community, single mothers and the under served multicultural areas of the city. She is a trainer for the Toronto District School Board on child abuse, child sexual abuse and parenting programs.
After September 11, she participated in many discussions with schools and the media on the role of women in her community and how to deal with racism and terrorism. She has served on the Board of the Riverdale Immigrant Women Centre, and is a member of the Canadian Labour Force Development Board, the National Federation of Pakistani Canadians (National Women's Coordinator) and Indian Immigrant Aid Services. Mubarka was involved with two national conferences regarding women and the Pakistani community and has spoken frequently with the media on these issues.
 Ekua Asabea Blair, in her capacity as Executive Director of the Rexdale Community Health Centre, has been innovative and persistent in her support of the North Etobicoke community. Recognizing the need for dental services, she spearheaded the drive, along with the diverse community in North Etobicoke, to obtain and house a dental clinic. She is a strong supporter of the participation of different ethnic groups in the community and the Rexdale Health Centre has sponsored the work of the multicultural Seniors Group, which includes people from Italian, South Asian, Somali, West Indian and Spanish communities.
As a strong advocate of other community organizations, Ekua has assisted with the administration of the Somali Immigrant Women's Association. She has also worked with the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre, the Metropolitan Housing Authority, Jane-Finch Concerned Citizen's Organization and the African Canadian Legal Clinic.
Ekua has worked long and hard to be successful, both professionally and as a volunteer, and to become an asset to the diverse community in North Etobicoke.
 Raquel Amarna Moscote is a founding member and supporter of any organizations including Instituto Latinoamericano de Educación y Cultura, Toronto Mutipec, Portugal Dos Pequininos, Women of Courage, Parkdale Domestic Workers, Grupo AMA, Education Rights Task Force, Portuguese-speaking People for Better Access to Legal Services, Fee Assistance for Immigrants and Refugees.
She inspired the creation of the Brazil-Angola Community Information Centre where she currently volunteers. Other volunteer activities have included the Centre for Spanish Speaking Peoples, Culturelink, Bloor Information and Life Skills Centre and she is a founding member of the December 6th Coalition.
Her professional work as a cultural interpreter since 1987, as a Spanish and ESL teacher and as a community legal worker at Parkdale Community Legal Services has directly helped many women. One of her major accomplishments was the successful campaign undertaken with Parkdale Community Legal Services to give Canadian-born children of undocumented immigrants the right to OHIP.
Raquel works to empower women by creating opportunities for them to express themselves, rather than speaking for them.
Previous recipients, Access Award
Previous recipients, William P. Hubbard Race Relations Award
Previous recipients, Constance E. Hamilton Award
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