On Thursday, May 13th, the Social Justice Center celebrated its 10th birthday! The festivities were held at Olbrich Garden from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. and were emceed by John Nichols of the Capital Times/ The Nation. The event honored Helen Vukelich with the Legacy Award and Cynthia Lin with the Visionary Award. Both women epitomize the commitment to social justice and social change that are the foundation from which the Social Justice Center grew.
This Birthday celebration was bitter-sweet as it was also a time for SJC to celebrate the dedication and passion of one of the driving forces for its founding, Nan Cheney, who passed away on April 30th. Brenda Konkel, Executive Director of TRC and long-time friend of Nan, gave powerful reflections of their efforts to form SJC, and shared some memories and stories of her work with Nan's work over the past 10 years. The Raging Grannies gave song and voice to one of thier own, Nan. Carol Carstensen, Presidnet of the SJC Board of Directors announced the re-naming of the community room to the Nan Cheney Community Room and the memorial set up by the Cheney Family, to benefit the Soical Justice Center.
Biographies of Award Honorees
Helen Vukelich
Helen Vukelich has been a dynamic force for positive change for many years. We are pleased to honor her with the Social Justice Center’s Legacy Award.
Helen’s important work on the Fair Housing Act in 1963 and the peace movement in the late '60s were just the beginning of a lifetime of public service to Wisconsin. She worked as an aide to US Representative Robert Kastenmeier and has been an important supporter of and force behind the Friends of South Madison Neighborhood Center, the Genesis Development Corporation, the Urban League of Greater Madison and the Wisconsin Coordinating Council on Nicaragua.
Helen and her late husband George Vukelich, or Papa Hambone, as he was known on WIBA and Wisconsin Public Radio, were known for decades for their contributions to progressive political and social justice activism in Wisconsin. Their caring and engaged children and grandchildren exemplify their legacy in our community.
When Helen received the Rev. James C. Wright Human Rights Award in 1999, she was described as embodying “Passionate attention to justice and fair play. Her ability to give aid and succor to fellow humans is fueled by an amazing empathy for troubled lives. She has sensitivity and insight both political and emotional into the truth of any situation. Politically astute and active. Modest about her own achievements. Generous with time and energy—a giving person. Keen sense of humor. Brings out the best in others. Is a genius at networking on behalf of justice and equality.”
Cynthia Lin
Cynthia Lin was presented with the Social Justice Center’s Visionary Award. Cynthia cut her teeth in organizing and social justice work here in Madison, where she found herself in a resilient, powerful, and loving community of people and organizations. She is a volunteer organizer with Operation Welcome Home, a group of people affected by homelessness and allies like Cynthia who mobilize against the root causes of homelessness. Cynthia is also a board member of Freedom, Inc., a group that does community organizing and anti-violence work in low-income communities of color. She is currently employed as a social justice educator at the Multicultural Student Center of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she trains students on social justice, community organizing, and social movement topics. Cynthia’s vision for social change centers on people affected by systems of oppression being the leaders and agents for change. Cynthia seeks to strengthen cultures of collective liberation and mutual aid, de-colonization, accountability, and ally-ship. Not yet 30 years old, Cynthia is the daughter of Shiang-Hua and Miin-Ron Lin, originally from Taiwan.
For information about Nan Cheney Memorial Donations please contact Jeanne Erickson, SJC Program Coordinator @ 608-227-0206 or jeanne.erickson@sjcmadison.org.