DO YOU EMPOWER THE POWERLESS?

THE 2010 HAYWOOD BURNS MEMORIAL AWARD

The Committee on Civil Rights is pleased to call for nominations for the 13th Annual Haywood Burns Memorial Award.  The award is given to honor the late civil rights lawyer and academic, Dean W. Haywood Burns.  From the age of 15 until his untimely death at age 55 while promoting civil rights in post-apartheid South Africa, the former head of the City University of New York School of Law was active in seeking to expand the civil rights of all people.  He was a builder of bridges rather than walls, actively involved in trying to extend connections to diverse groups within the community as a whole.

The Haywood Burns Memorial Award will be given to an individual, not necessarily a lawyer, who has contributed to New York State in a manner that reflects Dean Burns' commitment to the struggle for justice and the qualities that made him an outstanding advocate for civil rights and the empowerment of the powerless.

The previous Haywood Burns Memorial Award recipients represent a diverse background in the fields of law, education, civil and human rights and public service.  Their professional careers have greatly advanced the issues of civil rights and social justice in New York.

2009  Dr. Parveen Chopra

2008  Donna Lieberman

2007  John F. Boston

2006  Hon. Cornelius Blackshear

2005  Laurie M. Lambrix, Esq.

2004  Leroy Wilson, Jr., Esq.

2003  Juan A. Figueroa

2002  Hon. Ellen M. Yacknin

2001  Rockwell J. Chin, Esq.

2000  Hon. Pam Badoria Jackman Brown

1999  Prof. Randolph M. Scott-McLaughlin

NOMINATIONS

Nominations are solicited from organizations or individuals.  In keeping with Dean Burns' own characteristic of self-effacement, self-nominations will not be accepted.  The completed nomination form, and attachment(s) must be submitted by November 25, 2009 to Betty Brewer, Bar Services Department, New York State Bar Association, bbrewer@nysba.org .  In order to facilitate distribution of copies to committee members, please do not bind materials or submit materials that are difficult to reproduce.  ; The Award will be presented during the New York State Bar Association's Annual Meeting, on January 28, 2010 in New York City.

The nomination form is available online at www.nysba.org/2010HaywoodBurnsNomForm .