Jefferson Reporter

The Louise Branscomb Barrier Breaker Award is a way to recognize leaders in the North Alabama Conference who advocate for women and marginalized communities. The award was established by North Alabama United Methodist Women and is carried on by North Alabama’s Commission on the Status and Role of Women (COSROW).

Past recipients of the award are everyday church members and clergy who dedicate themselves to the well-being of others. Some have been awarded for their justice work, some for local missions, some for building relationships, and some for building community gardens. COSROW’s goals with the award are to make good work more widely known and to celebrate people who have simply done the right thing without seeking their own recognition.

In 2022, Brittany Green (Center Grove laity) received the award for her commitment to equitable and safe healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, Rev. Lucy Morales received the award for her service as Conference Hispanic Ministries strategist. In 2018, Ama Shambulia received the award for her leadership of WE Community Gardens. A full list of past recipients available here https://www.umcna.org/louisebranscombawardpastwinners

The Commission on the Status and Role of Women is eager to read your submissions about barrier breakers who have made a difference in your local church and community during the past year. To qualify for the award, nominees must be actively involved in a North Alabama United Methodist Church. They may be clergy or laity and may be any gender.

Nominations are open through Friday, March 31. The Barrier Breaker Award will be presented at the 2023 North Alabama Annual Conference session from June 21-24 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville.

Original source can be found here.