CDR HOME
NEWS
BOOKS
VIDEO
USEFUL LINKS
ABOUT CDR
HOW TO HELP
|
The Gargoyle Awards
A staunch protector of innocent people against evil forces, the gargoyle was selected by CDR to symbolize the contributions of advocates to the welfare of the larger community — they are seldom noticed, never fully valued, appreciated or accepted. As protectors of buildings, gargoyles evolved from an early pagan practice modeled after an ancient warning — the custom of placing animal heads on sticks outside dwellings. Then the early Catholic fathers placed them on churches to make the indigenous population feel safer in the church. Later they often served as rainspouts, diverting water off the building.
In 1990 as we approached the tenth anniversary of our incorporation in March of 1981, we began considering how to celebrate with the community. An awards ceremony seemed an appropriate opportunity both to acknowledge individual acts of advocacy (thereby recognizing and thanking the individual) and to encourage others who might be reluctant to speak out or act on their own behalf — they too could make a difference.
The award process begins with an application form that is mailed with our monthly newsletter each spring, or by request. Then, a panel of community members judges the applications that have been submitted. Nothing about us without us!
In 1991, in commemoration of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act and of our tenth anniversary, the victories of disability rights activists were first celebrated by honoring our effective advocates with the Gargoyle Awards.
Gargoyle winners are proposed from the community, selected by the community, and celebrated with the community of people with disabilities. This ceremony tonight is an opportunity for the disability community to recognize and honor these protectors and heroes — nominated by and from our community — our thanks to these advocates.
The 14th Annual Gargoyle Banquet
Six o'clock 'til Eleven o'clock
Friday, October 15th, 2004
The Ballroom, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
2233 South Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Chicago
The celebration will begin when the Cash Bar opens at 6 PM.
Dinner will be served at 7:00 PM.
Emcee Dr Sandra Goldberg of NBC's Health Watch will open the event at 8:00 PM, assisted by Dr Goldberg, Deputy Commissioner Jack Hazan of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities and President of the Board of Directors of the Council for Disability Rights, will present the Awards.
The Raffle Drawings will be conducted following the Awards.
Dancing to the music of Marco Garcia will end at 11:00.
The awards are given in six categories.
Descriptions and past winners:
The award process begins with an application form that is available early each spring. A panel of community members judges the applications that have been submitted by our member readership.
|
