Universal Human Rights Day Celebrated in Prince William County

The Prince William Human Rights Commission recently celebrated Universal Human Rights Day while also marking 30 years of service to the residents of Prince William County.

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chair At-Large Ann Wheeler welcomed about 100 people to the McCoart Government Center to commemorate the day and recognize five people and organizations who promote and express the principles of human rights.

In her remarks, Wheeler referenced the United Nations’ 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate to the health and well-being of themselves and their families, including food, clothing, housing, medical care and necessary social services,” Wheeler said. “Today, we will also recognize the immense contributions of individuals and organizations who have dedicated themselves to the work that needs to be done. The people … we honor today are some of our community’s best advocates and defenders. They’re working tirelessly to make every day and every interaction one that works for dignity, freedom and justice for all.”

“In that spirit today, we choose to recognize and remind ourselves of every human’s inherent dignity and worth,” Wheeler said.

Prince William County Executive Christopher Shorter said the commission promoted the belief that dignity, freedom, justice, and human rights formed the basic fabric of the community and society.

“Its mission is to eliminate discrimination through law enforcement and prevent it through outreach and education,” Shorter said of the commission, which has investigated more than 1,500 complaints over the years and secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in compensation and back pay. The settlements resulted in policy changes promoting human rights in the county.

Shorter thanked the recipients for their contributions on behalf of county staff and the Human Rights Commission.

“Throughout these 30 years of service, more than 100 residents and organizations have been recipients of these awards. I am certainly excited to be here today as we celebrate two individuals and three organizations that exemplify the best values, unconditional commitment and hard work that we all want our community to be known for,” Shorter said. “I want to thank you, our award recipients, and all of the men and women who support them in their greatness and for their efforts in serving our community, for uplifting others, for showing compassion, for demonstrating leadership. As a community, we certainly strive to promote civil rights, human rights, equality, kindness, and respect to all of it members and one that demonstrates dignity and justice for all.”

Mindy Weinstein, the director Washington Field Office of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or EEOC, gave the keynote address and spoke about women’s rights, the discrimination women faced in the past and the state of women’s rights today.

Weinstein quoted Marin Luther King Jr., who said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”

“That is certainly the case when it comes to the fight for equality for women in the workplace. We aren’t there yet, but the work of Dr. King and so many others over the years, including regular, ordinary people, people like all of you in this room who stood up to discrimination and marched on the streets of our counties and cities, people in the legislatures at all levels have helped bend that arc toward justice for women in the workplace,” Weinstein said.

Weinstein went on to talk about equal pay for equal work. Women’s earnings have grown from 42 percent of what men earned 50 years ago to 83 percent of what men earn today.

“We still have a long way to go,” Weinstein said.

In the past, as a matter of policies in the workplace, women suffered discrimination when they became pregnant. Activists worked to change those policies. In 1978, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act amended Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination based on “the basis of pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.”  

The work must continue, Weinstein said.

Rev. Cozy E. Bailey earned recognition for his work as president of the Prince William National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, which works to eliminate racial prejudices and discrimination. Bailey labors to circumvent attempts to diminish or nullify civil rights.

The commission recognized Tenants and Workers United, or TWU, for its 20 years of service providing resources and information to county residents in need. TWU staff and members organize in the community, conduct leadership training and administer student programs. Other causes TWU supports include immigrant rights, affordable housing, and driver’s licenses for all.

Freedom High School Coach Darryl Overton, who led the football team through an undefeated season and on to a state championship, was recognized for his work in the community serving the less fortunate. In 2016, Overton started an annual Thanksgiving dinner giveaway. Overton coordinates with the football team, family members, friends, local businesses, Freedom High School and community organizations to keep the program thriving.

The Woodbridge Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., whose mission is to inspire “Service to the Public Interest,” also received an award for its work in guiding Prince William County youth through mentoring, college preparatory programs, tutoring, college and career planning, decision making, health education and workshops.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc., in collaboration with Apple Federal Credit Union, John D. Jenkins Elementary School and the SPARK Foundation, were also recognized during the ceremony. The SPARK Foundation is committed to providing opportunities for middle-grade students to help them appreciate the connection education has to their future. The foundation also offers financial literacy programs to teach young people the value of saving early.

Prince William County Human Rights Commission Executive Director Raul Torres offered some parting words.

“This is a great day for Prince William County. First, we recognized community heroes who exemplify the best of us through their deeds. They’re role models for what individuals and organizations can do to advance the state of human rights in Prince William County. All the awardees are deserving of our deepest accolades and gratitude. Second, we are celebrating our 30^th anniversary of the establishment of the Prince William County Human Rights Commission. Our vision is to eliminate discrimination by enforcing anti-discrimination laws and preventing discrimination through outreach and education. I am very optimistic about the future and the relevance of the Human Rights Commission in Prince William County. If we want people and businesses to choose to reside here, we have to give them a high quality of life. There can’t be a high quality of life if we don’t have a community that respects and encourages the dignity of all residents. With this day of celebration comes our renewed commitment to 2023 to advance human and civil rights from domestic and foreign detractors and to be aware. We must be aware of all that’s going on around us. If we’re not aware, we won’t be able to protect our human rights for future generations.” 

Markus Crewe, president of Habitat for Humanity in Prince William County, said the ceremony motivated him to get out in the community.

“It was important for me to come out today to support the leadership in Prince William County, especially with the Human Rights Commission and what they’re doing in the work is inspiring to me to do more in the community about spreading more awareness for our equal rights,” Crewe said. 

Officers from The Prince William County Police Department and Sheriff’s Office formed a color guard to open the ceremonies where Karen-Leigh Albert sang the national anthem.

Curtis O. Porter, chair of the Prince William Human Rights Commission, emceed the program.