Seeking: Unsung Heroes Who Are Making Distinctive Contributions

My cousin is the Executive Director of the Petra Foundation, which identfies and recognizes unsung heroes who are making distinctive contributions to the rights of others. Here's the email I received this morning. If you are thinking of nominating someone make sure you read the criteria carefully.

Dear Friends

Each year since 1988, through a national search and nomination process, Petra has identified and recognized unsung heroes who are making distinctive contributions to the rights, dignity and autonomy of millions who are marginalized in America today

 Now almost 80 in number, Petra Fellows work in 29 states, often at risk and without the safety net of personal privilege or institutional support. The foundation gives fellows a no-strings personal financial award, publicizes their models for change and welcomes them to a national network of leaders working across the divides of age, ethnicity, class and issue to build a more just society.

If you know a leader who fits the awards criteria, please nominate your candidate for a Petra Fellow award. If you know of others who might make a nomination, please forward this note and help to spread the word.

The awards guidelines and brief nomination questionnaire can be easily downloaded from http://www.petrafoundation.org/nominations.html

Please read the guidelines closely and note that nominations are submitted without the knowledge of the nominee by those who know the nominees and their work.

This year’s deadline is February 12, 2009.  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

With your help, the Petra Foundation will continue to champion local leaders who are fighting on the frontlines of the struggle for justice.

We look forward to hearing from you!