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Access Living's 2008 Gala
Access Living honors Ambassador Luis Gallegos &
Anne Roosevelt
On June 12, at the Access Living Gala,
Access Living presented Ambassador Luis Gallegos of
Ecuador and Anne Roosevelt, the granddaughter of
Franklin Deleno Roosevelt, with "Lead On" Awards for
their leadership within the disability community.
As
chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Convention on the
Rights of People with Disabilities, Ambassador Gallegos
played a critical role in the negotiations that led to
the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People
with Disabilities.
Gallegos spearheaded a years-long effort of
incorporating the concerns of countries from around the
world, negotiating through the disagreements between
leaders, and developing a treaty that works for
everyone.
The
Convention went into force in May of 2008.
The first human rights treaty of the 21st
Century, the Convention prohibits discrimination against
persons with disabilities in all areas of life, and
includes specific provisions related to rehabilitation,
habilitation, education, employment, health and access
to information, public facilities and services.
Jim Dixon, the Vice President of Governmental
Affairs for the American Association of People with
Disabilities, presented the “Lead On” Award to
Roosevelt.
Dixon worked closely with Roosevelt when he was a part
of the National Organization on Disability.
Several years
ago, Roosevelt facilitated the charge to make sure her
grandfather was depicted in a wheelchair at the FDR
Memorial in Washington, D.C.
When it first opened in 1997, the Memorial
covered many aspects
of Roosevelt’s Presidency, but not at one point did it
depict FDR in a wheelchair.
The omission opened up a debate that challenged
disability advocates, family members and the public.
With Anne Roosevelt’s help, in January 2001, the
National Park Service unveiled a new addition to the
memorial, a sculpture at the beginning of the memorial
depicting FDR in a wheelchair.
A tribute to Justin Dart, Jr., the disability rights
movement’s most beloved leader, Access Living’s “Lead
On” award honors individuals who promote the empowerment
and independence of people with disabilities, and whose
lives and actions embody the principles and values that
Dart personified. As part of the awards ceremony, Access
Living presented a video tribute to Dart near the time
of his death.
The video featured images of Dart while Max
Starkloff of Paraquad read “I am with you! I love you!
Lead On!,” a final message to the community from Dart,
including the line,
“I die in the beautiful belief that the revolution of
empowerment will go on. I love you so much. I'm with you
always. Lead on! Lead on!”
The “Lead On” Awards were the centerpiece of the
2008 Gala, Access Living's largest fundraiser of the
year. Access Living
raised more than $630,000. The proceeds support
Access Living programs and services.
Many thanks to those who made
the evening possible.
William Daley,
Midwest Chairman of JP Morgan Chase, served as the 2008
Gala Chair.
Evelyn Arkebauer
and Access Living Board Member
Todd Arkebauer served as the Community Co-Chairs.
Channel 7’s Karen Meye kicked off the evening as
EmCee.
If you were unable to attend, but would still like
to support the gala,
click here.
Thanks also to the 2008 Gala Corporate Sponsors:
Abbot Fund
Contenential Materials
DCEO
GCG Partners
Grosvenor Capital Management,
L.P.
Illinois Tool Works
JPMorgan Chase
McDonald's
NICOR
Northern Trust
Reed Smith
Rush University Medical Center
SEIU Local 880
Standard Parking
United Airlines
previous Galas
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