2022 Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award Honoree

May 17, 2022

Courtney Wiggins Honored with the 2022 Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award

Human Rights Commission will Present Award on June 6, 2022

The City of Traverse City’s Human Rights Commission has honored Courtney Wiggins with the 2022 Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award. Wiggins is Co-founder of Northern Michigan E3, a local non-profit devoted to celebrating and welcoming diversity and equity for all residents and visitors to Northern Michigan.

E3 advocated for body cameras for Traverse City and Grand Traverse County law enforcement officers, and led anti-racism discussions in the local public schools and community Open Space. Previously, Wiggins was named one of 20 Fascinating people by the Northern Express; March 6, 2021 & listed on Traverse City Business News list 40 under 40; September Issue 2021. They volunteer as a vibrational sound therapist to those who have experienced domestic violence. In July of 2021, Wiggins interviewed Dax Devlon-Ross, author of Letters to My White Male Friends, an eye opening narrative about race and racism and how individuals can be a driving force for change in their place of work, community, family and within themselves.

"The Human Rights Commission is honored to present this year's Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award to Courtney. Courtney's work in our community is critically important and embodies the spirit and purpose of the Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award,” says Jessica Forster, Human Rights Commission Chairperson.

The Human Rights Commission will present Wiggins with the award on June 6, 2022. The celebration will take place in the Governmental Center at 6 pm in the Lower Level Cafeteria. An award presentation will take place at the City Commission meeting at 7 pm in the Commission Chambers.

Celebrating the 27th year, the award is given annually in honor of Sara Hardy, a longtime resident, who exemplified the philosophies and ideals of the Human Rights Commission to promote mutual understanding and respect among all people and to discourage discriminatory practices. This award recognizes Hardy’s contributions to the community by honoring an individual who exemplifies the Human Rights Commission’s ideals.

Learn More: Human Rights Commission