The deadline is fast approaching to nominate someone for the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame 2005. The Kentucky Commission on Human Rights will continue to accept nominations from the public until Friday, March 18. The call for nominations began in November.

Placing a nomination is easy. Call the commission at 595.4024 in Louisville or toll free at 1.800.292.5566, to receive information and help. Ask for Ms. Cynthia Fox. If you have nominated in previous years people who have not yet been inducted, simply call to ask for the re-nomination of those individuals. The nomination form is also available at the commission’s website, http://kchr.ky.gov. The form can be completed and submitted online.

Being inducted into the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame is a high honor for men and women who have worked hard for equality, opportunity and justice. The Hall of Fame recognizes people for their contributions to civil rights in the areas of any protected class of the Kentucky Civil Rights Act, including race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, national origin, or family status.

An independent panel of judges representing many regions in the state will select the new inductees from the nominations. The inductees will be announced at a special celebration planned for July 2005.

This will be the fourth set of inductions since the commission established the Hall of Fame during the state government agency’s 40^th anniversary celebration in 2000. So far there are 52 members. 

Any adult (18 or over) Kentucky resident may nominate someone for the Hall of Fame. Eligible nominees are people who have:

1.                     provided exemplary leadership and achievement toward Kentucky’s progress in the areas of civil rights; 

2.                     advocated for civil rights through actions and deeds in Kentucky;

3.                     and, served as role models and beacons in the struggle to eliminate discrimination, prejudice and barriers of equality in Kentucky.

4.           Candidates may be either living or deceased and their contributions may cover a wide range of civil rights issues in present or past eras.   

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