Each year, the Fort Collins Human Relations Commission (HRC) recognizes seniors (over 60) who promote acceptance and respect for diversity in the community. Linda Hopkins (left in photo) and Florence Field (right) were the recipients of the 2014 Human Relations Senior Awards. The Senior Award recipients were determined by the City’s Senior Advisory Board. Fort Collins Mayor Karen Weitkunat introduced the program together with Myles Crane, HRC Chair.
Florence Field, a ninety-year old activist, has a “passion for social justice” since WWII when she was held in an internment camp along with 120,000 other Japanese Americans. She has volunteered for many years with a number of community organizations including the Northern Colorado Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the Health District of Northern Larimer County, the League of Women Voters, Colorado Legal Services, and the Poudre Valley Hospital. Most recently, Florence worked to organize a panel about immigrants revealing the harsh discrimination that they face.
Linda Hopkins, a local realtor with The Group, Inc., has spent many years volunteering with a number of local agencies including the Senior Center. In the early 1990’s, she helped to raise funds for the new Senior Center and most recently she served as Chair of the Senior Center Expansion Board securing additional funding. She is a member of the Quota Club, a volunteer service club, and has served as a director with the United Way, the Food Bank for Larimer County, the Education Life Training Center, and the Poudre River Library.
Other distinguished Senior Award nominees for 2014 were Eric Biederman, Harold Hartman and Barbara Schoenberger. Each received a letter and certificate of appreciation from the City signed by the Mayor and HRC Chair for the nominees’ accomplishments. Congratulations to these volunteers for their awards!
Nomination forms for The City of Fort Collins, 2015 Human Relations Awards will be posted online in 2015. For further information email hrc@fcgov.com or phone (970) 416-2525.