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The Kalamazoo Gay Lesbian Resource Center would like to congratulate the individuals and organizations who have been selected as REACH Award winners for their advocacy work in 2014. These individuals represent the best of the best in the categories of retail, education, ally support, community, humanitarian and faith.

We are pleased to share that the following people will be recognized at the annual Winter Gala for their commitment to the LGBTQ community:

Retail Award
PNC Bank is the recipient of this year’s Retail award in recognition of their commitment and dedication to equality and LGBT rights. PNC’s commitment to LGBT employees, customers and community is ongoing and can be seen through PNC’s extended benefits for employees’ domestic partners; inclusion training; partnership with local and national LGBTQ organizations; and PNC Wealth Management’s national practice group focused on wealth planning for same-sex couples. PNC’s LGBTA EBRG has more than 1,100 members across eight chapters, including 160 members right here in the Kalamazoo chapter.

• PNC is recognized nationally for its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Named a “Best Place to Work for LGBT Equality” by the Human Rights Campaign again in 2015
• Great Workplace Award for employee engagement
• 100 Best Companies, Working Mother
• Top 50 Companies for Executive Women, National Association for Female Executives
• Here in Kalamazoo, PNC supports the community through their sponsorship of Kalamazoo Pride for the past five years — supporting the event with over 50 volunteers and partnering with KGLRC for training.

  Education Award

This year’s recipient of the Terry Kuseske Education Award is Maggie Adams. As an administrator in Kalamazoo Public Schools, Maggie has gone above and beyond to ensure all students are empowered. She has consistently created safe spaces for LGBTQ students in her school and other schools in the district through a collaborative and innovative project called Empowering All. Adams has been in education for 32 years, supporting Kalamazoo Public Schools as a math teacher, counselor and administrator. She serves on the LGBT Equality Fund committee for Kalamazoo Community Foundation, as the Board President for Fire, and as a Trustee for Unity Church. No matter what role Maggie is fulfilling, she is always an educator, advocating on behalf of LGBTQ youth and families.

Ally Award
The KGLRC is excited to recognize Megan Anderson for her outstanding efforts as an LGBTQ ally. Megan is an example of what an ally should be — she volunteers hours of her time year after year to LGBTQ causes, she advocates on behalf of LGBTQ lives, and she stands up for what’s right time and time again. 2015 marks the fifth year that Megan has been a volunteer member of the Kalamazoo Pride steering committee, as well as the chair of the marketing committee for Pride. Megan is also a founding member of the Western Michigan University Pride Alumni Network, where she serves in a leadership role as a very proud ally alumna. When she’s not writing emails, posting event on social media, or attending committee meetings, Megan enjoys her full-time role in marketing at WMU.

Community Award
Community award winner April Winsborrow has quietly and courageously led the Pride NA group at the KGLRC for several years. Her commitment has ensured that LGBTQ folks in need of an NA support group had a safe and inclusive space. Week after week, year after year, April has served our community, exemplifying what service should look like. The KGLRC is proud to recognize April for her commendable advocacy and leadership.

Jim Knox Humanitarian Award
The KGLRC is honored to present Amy Hunter with the Jim Knox Humanitarian Award this year. If one were to look up activist in the dictionary, it would not be surprising to find Amy Hunter, listed as an example. She has dedicated her life to working tirelessly for the rights of trans* people across the state.

Amy serves as President and Chair of Equality Michigan Pride PAC, Chair of the Kalamazoo Alliance for Equality PAC, and holds a leadership position on the Board of Directors for the Victory Fund. During 2008 and 2009, she held the post of Director of Operations for the One Kalamazoo campaign. Amy is a past Board of Directors member of the KGLRC, Kalamazoo Community Foundation Equality Fund and past Vice President of Equality Michigan Action Fund. Kalamazoo is truly lucky to have Amy, and the LGBTQ community is lucky to have her advocating on our behalf.

Faith Award
Ruth Moerdyk is this year’s recipient of the Faith award and is being recognized for her leadership and work in creating safe and affirming spaces through a faith lens. She advocates for the LGBTQ community from the pulpit, in everyday life, and as chair of the Faith Alliance. Ruth is the pastor of Christian Church-Disciples of Christ here in Kalamazoo. During her time at Kalamazoo College, Ruth founded the first LGB student organization at Kalamazoo College. Later she provided leadership for the LGBTQ student organization at Chicago Theological Seminary. Throughout her life, whether as a layperson or as a pastor, Ruth has worked to educate others and stand up and out for the LGBTQ community.

REACH winners will be recognized at the KGLRC Winter Gala and Fundraiser event on Saturday, January 31, where LGBTQA individuals will socialize and celebrate diversity. This annual event is the most fun – and formal – event of the year for the KGLRC and includes wonderful food and desserts, a silent auction and musical entertainment featuring The Moxie Strings. Held at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts from 7 to 11 p.m., more information about the Winter Gala can be found online at kglrg.org/winter-gala.