Garland Pruitt

Photo: News9

To ensure the political, educational,
social and economic equality of
minority group citizens

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Garland Pruitt of Choctaw, OK, has been selected as one of the 2016 winners of the Oklahoma Human Rights Award.

Garland Pruitt was born and raised in Houston, TX. He moved to Oklahoma in 1974 where he attended the University of Oklahoma. He graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology.

Garland has been very active in his church as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and mentor. His attitude in life is that everyone should be treated with equality no matter what your stage in life is. He is committed to his community and will stand up against injustice of any kind. For over 5 years he worked with FDIS as a counselor with youth on issues of family abuse, low self-esteem, education, and societal adjustment.

He has been president of the Oklahoma City branch of the NAACP since 2010 where he works to ensure the political, educational, social and economic equality of minority group citizens of the United States and eliminate race prejudice.

Garland Pruitt is concerned for all people of this world, and he will stand up for what is right – whatever your race, religion, or creed. He believes that we are all of the human race, and we deserve to be treated fairly and justly, and this has been his mission as a decent human being fighting for all humanity.

Awards: 
NAACP – Thurman Marshall Award, 2000.
Kiwanis Club 2005-06 Human and Spiritual Values Award.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity recognition of leadership and volunteering to the community of the greater Oklahoma City area.
APRI – A. Philip Randolph Institute 2003 Roll of Honor for many years of dedication, outstanding service, and distinguished leaders. 

The public is invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 Human Rights Awards on Saturday, December 10th, in the House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The program will begin at 10am. It will be emcee'd by former State Representative Seneca Scott. There is no charge to attend. Following the awards program, you are invited to enjoy a Free Speech Forum in the Senate Assembly Room from 12 Noon to 2pm.

Every year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Awards are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association and the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance.

Previous winners of the award include educators, physicians, students, and community volunteers from many different communities and all walks of life. They are united by their enduring commitment to the values and principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information about the awards program, please contact Wilfredo Santosrivera, 405-631-3027.

The Dialogue Institute

"Envisioning a society
where every person treats
each other with dignity" 

We are pleased to announce that the Dialogue Institute of Oklahoma has been selected as one of the 2016 winners of the Oklahoma Human Rights Award.

The mission of the Dialogue Institute is to promote mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among people of diverse faiths and cultures by creating opportunities for direct communication and meaningful shared experiences.

The Dialogue Institute envisions a society where every person views and treats each other with dignity, people come around shared values to promote the common good of their communities as well as the world as a whole.

For years, the institute has executed multiple inter-faith multicultural programs like Annual Friendship and Dialogue Dinner, Abrahamic Dinner, monthly scholarly luncheons, inter-faith academy, art and video contests for Pre K-12 students, early Thanksgiving dinner, international trips, book clubs and the Voices Against Extremism campaign.

There are two branches of the Dialogue Institute in Oklahoma. The Tulsa Branch is led by Mr. Muhammet Ali Sezer. The director of the Oklahoma City Branch is Ms. Kuaybe Basturk.

The leaders of this organization exemplify diversity and inclusion, and are without doubt, role model champions of human rights in the state of Oklahoma.

“Dialogue Institute envisions a society where every person views and treats each other with dignity, people come around shared values to promote the common good of their communities as well as the world as a whole.”
--From the website of the Dialogue Institute of Oklahoma

The public is invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 Human Rights Awards on Saturday, December 10th, in the House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The program will begin at 10am. It will be emcee'd by former State Representative Seneca Scott. There is no charge to attend. Following the awards program, you are invited to enjoy a Free Speech Forum in the Senate Assembly Room from 12 Noon to 2pm.

Every year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Awards are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association and the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance.

Previous winners of the award include educators, physicians, students, and community volunteers from many different communities and all walks of life. They are united by their enduring commitment to the values and principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information about the awards program, please contact Wilfredo Santosrivera, 405-631-3027.

Mana Tahaie

Communities in Tulsa and Beyond
Benefit from the Good Work of
this Advocate and Organizer

We are pleased to announce that Ms. Mana Tahaie of Tulsa, OK, has been selected as one of the 2016 winners of the Oklahoma Human Rights Award.

Mana Tahaie has been a long-time organizer for marginalized communities in Tulsa. She currently serves as the interim Director of Immigrant & Refugee Services at YWCA.

Ms. Tahaie has led the YWCA's racial justice initiatives since 2008 and women's empowerment efforts since 2014. Under her leadership, the Mission Impact department grew to include anti-racism training, community events, consulting, racial dialogue programs, and advocacy. She specializes in power analysis, organizational and institutional development, and identity-based oppression.

Mana has devoted her career and personal life to social justice. Before joining YWCA Tulsa, Ms. Tahaie served as the Deputy Director of Oklahomans for Equality, Tulsa’s LGBT advocacy organization and community center. She previously served as the convener of the Tulsa Say No to Hate Coalition and board member of Crossroads Antiracism Organizing & Training, the United Campus Ministry at The University of Tulsa, and ACLU Oklahoma.

You're invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 Human Rights Awards on Saturday, December 10th, in the House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The program will begin at 10am. It will be emcee'd by former State Representative Seneca Scott. There is no charge to attend. Following the awards program, you are invited to enjoy a Free Speech Forum in the Senate Assembly Room from 12 Noon to 2pm.

Every year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Awards are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association and the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance.

Previous winners of the award include educators, physicians, students, and community volunteers from many different communities and all walks of life. They are united by their enduring commitment to the values and principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information about the awards program, please contact Wilfredo Santosrivera, 405-631-3027.

Tom Guild

Photo: News9

Tom Guild -- Hard-Working 

Human Rights Champion to Be
Honored on December 10th 

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Tom Guild of Edmond, OK, has been selected as one of the 2016 winners of the Oklahoma Human Rights Award.

Tom Guild served for 17 years in the leadership of the American Association of University Professors at the local, state, and national levels. He worked for tenure, due process, and shared governance in the academy. He was twice given the award for service to the professorate at the University of Central Oklahoma and chosen for the national award for outstanding service to college professors by the national association.

His research on the rights of women-including freedom from sex discrimination including sexual harassment, also the disabled, and the LGBT community. His research resulted in presentations at regional, national, and international conferences and publications in refereed academic journals and chapters in books.

He served for two years at the state level on the Executive Committee of the Oklahoma branch of the American Association of University Women to advance the rights of women. He was a co-founder of the Brennan Society and has served as a justice in the society’s governance promoting the human rights of Oklahomans.

He played a key role in opposing imposition of Oklahoma’s right to work laws and has worked to promote increases in the minimum wage and workers’ collective rights. He has supported women’s rights by participating in numerous Pink Wave Rallies at the Oklahoma State Capitol. He has supported the rights of Native Americans, and recently attended a press conference and a rally to support the Standing Rock Sioux in their fight to prevent a pipeline from invading sacred tribal lands and defending the tribe’s access to water.

Tom is a longtime member of the NAACP and recently served a term on the board of LULAC in Oklahoma. Tom has worked for decades to guard and secure the dignity, personhood, liberty, and due process for all members of the human community.

The public is invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 Human Rights Awards on Saturday, December 10th, in the House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The program will begin at 10am. It will be emcee'd by former State Representative Seneca Scott. There is no charge to attend. Following the awards program, you are invited to enjoy a Free Speech Forum in the Senate Assembly Room from 12 Noon to 2pm.

Every year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Awards are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association and the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance.

Previous winners of the award include educators, physicians, students, and community volunteers from many different communities and all walks of life. They are united by their enduring commitment to the values and principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information about the awards program, please contact Wilfredo Santosrivera, 405-631-3027.

Priya Desai, MSW

UNA-OKC Leader and Advocate
for Reproductive Health will be
Honored on December 10th

We are pleased to announce the selection of Priya Desai as one of the 2016 Oklahoma Human Rights Award winners.

Priya Desai is a name synonymous with human rights and advocacy. She works in the Oklahoma Higher Education System by day and has previously served as President of the United Nations Association Oklahoma City Chapter (UNA-OKC). The United Nations Association is a membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. She also serves as a Co-Executive Director for the Oklahoma Coalition for Reproductive Justice which is coalition of organizations and individuals promoting reproductive health, rights, and justice in Oklahoma through education, empowerment, and advocacy.

Priya has experience in the fields of grassroots nonprofit work, advocacy and social justice, and community social work. She graduated college in 2010 and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma in Social Work with a concentration in Administration and Community Practice.

Friends and members of the United Nations Association are invited to attend the presentation of the 2016 Human Rights Awards on Saturday, December 10th, in the House Chamber of the Oklahoma State Capitol. The program will begin at 10am. It will be emcee'd by former State Representative Seneca Scott. There is no charge to attend. Following the awards program, you are invited to enjoy a Free Speech Forum in the Senate Assembly Room from 12 Noon to 2pm.

Every year, the Oklahoma Human Rights Awards are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association and the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance.

Previous winners of the award include educators, physicians, students, and community volunteers from many different communities and all walks of life. They are united by their enduring commitment to the values and principles expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

For more information about the awards program, please contact Wilfredo Santosrivera, 405-631-3027.

Nominate a Champion of Human Rights

Do you know a human rights hero who works to advance equal justice and equal dignity for people in Oklahoma?

Nominations are now open for the annual human rights awards that are co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Universal Human Rights Alliance (OKUHRA) and the Oklahoma City chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA).

Eleanor Roosevelt once said human rights begin close to home -- in "places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination." 

Eleanor Roosevelt

Do you know a human rights hero who works to advance equal justice and equal dignity for people in Oklahoma? Please consider nominating them for a recognition award through OKUHRA and UNA-USA. 

As in previous years, we will honor these human rights heroes at a special mid-day ceremony at the Oklahoma Capitol on December 10th, Universal Human Rights Day -- which happens to fall on a Saturday this year.

To make it easy for you to submit a nomination, we have established a convenient online nomination form that you may use:

Online Nomination Form (administered by Constant Contact)
http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07edgk3zkvivh4or5l/start

We are seeking nominees from every background and every walk of life. You can see a list of some of our previous winners on our blog, "To Reaffirm Faith." Here are the links:

2015 winners:
http://una-okc.blogspot.com/2015/12/our-2015-human-rights-award-winners.html

2014 winners:
http://www.una-okc.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-human-rights-award-winners.html

2013 winners:
http://una-okc.blogspot.com/2013/11/2013-human-rights-award-winners.html

2012 winners:
http://una-okc.blogspot.com/2012/12/human-rights-award-winners-announced.html

Please note that nominations must be submitted before Thursday, December 1st. If you do not have access to the online nomination form or if you have any questions about the nominations process, please feel free to call Wilfredo Santosrivera: 405-631-3027.

The annual Human Rights Day observance at the State Capitol carries on a tradition that was started by the Oklahoma Human Rights Commission many years ago. We are proud to continue this tradition of honoring the men and women in our state who help to define the meaning of human rights where we live.

"Where, after all, do universal rights begin?"

"...In small places, close to home – so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person; the neighborhood he lives in; the school or college he attends; the factory, farm or office where he works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerned citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world."
–Eleanor Roosevelt, “The Great Question,” remarks delivered at the United Nations in New York on March 27, 1958.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

Todos los seres humanos nacen libres e iguales en dignidad y derechos.

Tous les êtres humains naissent libres et égaux en dignité et en droits. 

ᏂᎦᏓ ᎠᏂᏴᏫ ᏂᎨᎫᏓᎸᎾ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏂᏠᏱ ᎤᎾᏕᎿ ᏚᏳᎧᏛ ᎨᏒᎢ. ᎨᏥᏁᎳ ᎤᎾᏓᏅᏖᏗ ᎠᎴ ᎤᏃᏟᏍᏗ ᎠᎴ ᏌᏊ ᎨᏒ ᏧᏂᎸᏫᏍᏓᏁᏗ ᎠᎾᏟᏅᏢ ᎠᏓᏅᏙ ᎬᏗ.  

Ĉiuj homoj estas denaske liberaj kaj egalaj laŭ digno kaj rajtoj. Ili posedas racion kaj konsciencon, kaj devus konduti unu la alian en spirito de frateco.

Review the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article I) in over 300 languages at the Omniglot website ...  http://omniglot.com/udhr/index.htm

Read the complete text of the Universal of Declaration of Human Rights on the UN website, here ... http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/