Devoted, determined, leaders, passionate activists . . . these words describe the recipients of the 2003 Access, Equity and Human Rights Awards. Each year, Toronto City Council gives these awards to persons who are selected from nominations made by the public.

On December 10, 2003, International Human Rights Day, 11 individuals and three community groups received awards in the areas of: Aboriginal affairs; disability issues; women's issues; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual and two spirited issues; and race relations.

Mayor David Miller addressed award recipients and ceremony guests, and spoke of the City's historical role as an advocate for equality and human rights. He recognized the role that residents and community organizations have played in making Toronto a more inclusive and caring community as demonstrated by the dedication of the award recipients. Mayor Miller proclaimed December as Human Rights Month in the City of Toronto.

Councillors Joe Mihevc, Pam McConnell and Kyle Rae assisted the Mayor with the award presentations.

The evening began with a steelband performance by Pan Vibrations of the Jesse Ketchum Public School. The ceremony, co-hosted by Juno-Award-winner Lillian Allen and literacy activist and artist Jerry Lee Miller, began with an Aboriginal honour song performed by Spirit Wind. Los Danzaq de Peru performed a "scissor" dance to close the proceedings.

You can read about the 2003 award recipients and can visit our ceremony gallery to view some photos from the event.