Loveland, Ohio – Three women with Loveland connections are among 20 finalists for the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center’s Upstander Awards. Out of hundreds of nominees, the finalists were selected for their “outstanding contributions to the community”.
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center was created to carry on the stories and lessons of one of the darkest chapters in human history. Rooted in this educational mission is a vision to create an entire community of upstanders — “high-minded, everyday heroes who act because they refuse to be bystanders”.
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center has announced the finalists of the 2024 Upstander Awards, which recognize individuals in the region “who use their character strengths to stand up for themselves and others — pursuing justice, both great and small, and inspiring others to do the same”.
Tori Morrison created the Ben Morrison Fund after her wonderful son Ben lost his battle with mental health. To erase the stigma of pain and struggles with mental health, Tori created the nonprofit to fight for and support others who are going through similar battles.
2) Evangeline DeVol founded NEST CLC, a non-profit that addresses educational and nutritional needs among low-income students through mobile classrooms in RVs, providing tutoring, meals, and activities. Beyond her work with NEST CLC, she serves on the board of the Varner Foundation for Kids, supports foster and kinship care families with necessary resources, and is actively involved in initiatives to tackle sex trafficking.
3) Trinity Mahan Walsh graduated from Loveland High School in 1994 and in 2018 was named the Kentucky high school counselor of year. Walsh is a Adjunct Professor at Thomas More University, Coordinator of Early Postsecondary Opportunities, Regional Advisor at Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, and Co-founder, Director at Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students in Education. Amidst the social upheavals of 2020, Elise Carter, the sole Black educator in her district, and her colleague Trinity Walsh started a groundbreaking initiative to address societal issues through education. Despite facing community backlash and legislative challenges, they founded Northern Kentucky Inclusive Students in Education (NISE), a nonprofit that conducts inclusive and critical thinking education for students and adults across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, promoting understanding and empathy.
The winners will be announced at the Upstander Awards Gala on June 2 at Union Terminal, featuring Debra Messing, an Emmy Award-winning actress, producer, and social justice & human rights advocate. Read more about her work and advocacy here.
The finalists include:
- Tori Morrison
- Rosemary Oglesby-Henry
- Toilynn Turner
- Lamont Ragan
- Galadriel Stamm
- Beth Silvers and Sarah Stewart Holland
- Carter Pittman
- Tyra Patterson
- Emily and Mark Kendall
- Martha Stephens
- Cedric Cox
- Barth Johnson and Robert Singleton
- Evangeline DeVol
- Kimberly Huckleby
- Terrisenia Denham
- Gabriel Fletcher
- Mary Beth Knight
- Emelia Luce
- Karen Gibbs
- Elise Carter & Trinity Walsh
- David Morse
- Sister Nancy Linenkugel
- Steven Anderson
- Kevin Schweiger
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.cincyupstander.org.
ABOUT THE NANCY & HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY CENTER
The Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center exists to ensure the lessons of the Holocaust inspire action today. Located at Cincinnati’s historic Union Terminal, HHC impacts more than 2.5 million people every year through digital and in-person events, museum tours, educational experiences, social media, and virtual content. From Australia to India, individuals from more than 25 countries and 30 states engage with our mission. For more information, visit www.holocaustandhumanity.org.
