THURSDAY, MAY 29
5:45 PM reception | 6:45 PM dinner & program
THE MEADOWS EVENT CENTER
1 Prairie Meadows Drive, Altoona, Iowa 50009
Keynote Speaker
Sister Simone Campbell
Sister Simone Campbell (Roman Catholic Sister of Social Service) is a religious leader, attorney, author, and recipient of a 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom (the United States’ highest civilian honor). She has extensive experience in public policy rooted in the lived experiences of people at the economic margins of society. In addition to being an Emerson Elder with the Emerson Collective, Sister Simone co-leads “Understanding US” focused on political healing. For 17 years she was executive director of NETWORK, Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and leader of Nuns on the Bus. Her healthcare policy work was seminal in passage of the Affordable Care Act. Sister Simone has received numerous awards including the “Defender of Democracy Award” from the Parliamentarians for Global Action. Prior to Washington, this native Californian did state advocacy and for 18 years was the founder of the Oakland Community Law Center. Her two award winning books are A Nun on the Bus (2014) and Hunger for Hope (2020).
Faith & Freedom Award Recipients
We are pleased to honor the following recipients (from left to right):
BETSEY MONNOT, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa | Community Leader Award
MAZAHIR SALIH, Mayor Pro Tem, Iowa City City Council | Joy Corning Public Leader Award
BLEEDING HEARTLAND, Laura Belin, Founder | Partner Organization Award
Featuring a performance by HarMANY, a small ensemble from the Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus
In these tumultuous times, we have taken on deeper organizing around Christian nationalism on top of our already full roster of work. We must continue growing our progressive voice in communities big and small. As our biggest fundraiser of the year, the award celebration enables this crucial programming to happen.