HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-079 (Human Rights Award - Melanie Ebertz)THE BIRTHPLACE OF MINNESO A
RESOLUTION 2019-079
STILLWATER HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD
MELANIE EBERTZ
Whereas, the Stillwater Human Rights Commission requested nominations for the
2019 Stillwater Human Rights Award; and
Whereas, Melanie Ebertz has been nominated for being a founding member of
Fundacion Comunidad. Beginning in 2002, she worked with indigenous people in the
Peruvian highland region of Ayacucho, especially in the village of Paccha and
surrounding areas, whose lives and communities were decimated by the Shining Path
terrorist group in the 1980s and 90s. The foundation started a secondary school, six
kindergartens, a library, scholarships, sanitation projects and a nutrition program. Many
of the students in the schools are the very first of their family to have ever gone to school.
The concept of Fundacion Comunidad was partially the result of Melanie's work with
indigenous textile cooperatives and individual artists in the highland of Peru, giving them
access to markets in the US, through her company, ArtAndes, during a dangerous time
when Shining Path was still operating. Her relationships with indigenous peoples of Peru,
helped her see the needs and opportunities which Fundacion Comunidad would fill.; and
Whereas, many hundreds of children have received an education; schools that were
established are now run by the government (with substantial encouragement from
Melanie -she was not easily ignored!); nutrition has improved; understanding of, and
facilities for sanitation has improved; and hope has reappeared after a long period of
darkness; and
Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the City Council of the City of Stillwater,
Minnesota, the 2019 Human Rights Award is presented to Melanie Ebertz in
appreciation of her outstanding leadership and dedication to human rights, and is hereby
commended for those efforts.
Adopted by the City Council this 16th day of July, 2019.
TED KOZLOWSKI, MAYOR
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