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16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Stride Toward Freedom!
Humanitarian Award nominees
Every year the Award Committee has the challenging task of choosing a
winner from so many worthy candidates. We would like you to know more about the other King
County employees nominated for the award. We think you will agree that they bring very special
qualities to King County government! Our thanks to them for everything they do.
Individual Award nominees
Judge Richard Jones: Superior Court
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“Judge Jones was appointed to the bench in 1994.…
No matter how hectic/complicated his judicial calendar gets, Judge Jones remains
passionate and focused on many community activities and on-going projects.
I would like to share with you information on two programs that Judge Jones
founded and currently serves as an active committee leader....
- The Puget Sound Area Minority Clerkship Program is designed to provide summer clerkship opportunities at major Puget Sound law firms or corporate law departments for students from the University of Washington and Seattle University Schools of Law. The program is in its 12th year and has received the Washington State Bar Association's "Affirmative Action Award," "in recognition of the Program's contributions in creating and advancing career opportunities for minorities in the legal profession."
- The Northwest Minority Job Fair was created in 1987 to address the visible absence of ethnic minority attorneys in private and corporate law firms in the area. Now in its 17th year, this program has benefited over a thousand minority law students and attorneys.... The success of this fair over the years has lead to a national reputation as one of the most outstanding and best-organized job fairs for law students across the country...."
Rita Lee: Executive’s Office/Business Development and Contract Compliance
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“An energetic, tireless advocate, as compliance employee, for diversity and inclusiveness in the critical field of business."
- "An energetic, tireless promoter of MLK programs and recognitions."
- "An energetic, self-less, tireless advocate of the annual Thurgood Marshall recognition noted by the King County Superior Court. A worker bee, Intelligent, Affable, Creative and more.”
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“…Rita passed away last month, suddenly and unexpectedly. She was a
dedicated King County employee and worked diligently for diversity and inclusiveness.
Every year, Rita was an integral part of the planning team and work force that organized and
implemented the annual King County Superior Court Thurgood Marshall Tribute….”
Debra Ross: Department of Natural Resources and Parks
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“Debra Ross is committed to working for the community. Whether performing
community relations for the Brightwater Project (the new wastewater treatment plant) or volunteering
on a crisis line, she brings a warmth and responsiveness to everyone she encounters and has real
skill in dealing with frightened or angry people. She works very hard to make sure people feel
heard. Although she communicates with many people each day, she makes each one feel
like an individual. Debra has used her fluent Spanish language skills to make sure that citizens
affected by a wastewater project have all the information they need....
Although her workload is demanding, Debra also volunteers regularly on a
crisis line — investing her personal time and energy to improving the human condition both
in our workplace and in the community. Debra's commitment to the community goes well
beyond her job description and epitomizes the spirit of humanitarianism.”
Jeanine Pankalla: Public Health
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“Jeanine has kept things fun at work and morale high by organizing a monthly spirit day and potluck.
Co-workers dress up according to a certain theme. She is always bringing in food to help clients
out and goes the extra mile to answer questions and provide resources to clients in need.
She organized the King County Charitable Campaign.”
Sheriff Dave Reichert
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“In April, a white Deputy shot and killed a black citizen. The Community was
divided. Sheriff Reichert made some comments in the early emotional times.
He was challenged on those comments — and publicly apologized. While
the Sheriff's Office was dealing with the turmoil of the shooting and the mixed public
response, a black citizen shot and killed a white deputy. The Sheriff took great efforts to
calm the community and assure law enforcement they should carryout their duties without considering race.
He contacted the Federal government to sponsor a Cops and Culture
Conference to help the various communities start to build relationships to build
mutual trust and respect. Some people urged him to delay or cancel the conference
because they believed it was still too volatile a time. But, the Sheriff explained that is
why the conference had to be held as quickly as possible. Several hundred people,
law enforcement and communities, met for two days and formed groups to carry
out the mission of building mutual trust and respect….
His command staff is the most diverse in the state.
He promoted the first black chief, the second highest rank in the office.
He promoted the first Asian chief, the second highest rank in the office.
Half of this command staff are women.
He consistently urges the people who work for him to do the right thing.
He typifies that by his work. This year has been a challenge and he has met it head on-without
ducking or evading any issue or problem….”
Heather Barr: Public Health
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“…Heather has worked in the public health field for 20+ years and
run programs as a supervisor and administrator in addition to being a direct care provider.
Now, she heads the Shelter Health and Safety Project for Public Health's Health
Care for the Homeless Program, and in this role she provides extraordinary support to shelter
staff and clients.
Heather trains shelter staff and clients on such issues as communicable
disease prevention, first aid, nutrition, diabetes, lice & scabies, and other health care issues.
Each year, she reaches thousands of homeless people and staff of homeless agencies
with health messages such as how to prevent communicable disease transmission and the
importance of preventive health care….
Heather also provides some direct patient care in the shelters….
The homeless population Heather works with is very diverse with
a high percentage of homeless people being people of color, and Heather
demonstrates very high cultural competence & sensitivity in working with all people.
In this area, she is a particularly strong role model for her colleagues and intern students.
Heather is known and trusted throughout the homeless community and
with staff as one who shares knowledge, ideas, and humor, and as one who is
caring and supportive of all people, regardless of color, race, status, or physical or mental health issues….
One of Heather's greatest contributions-one that extends far beyond the
boundaries of her job — is her gift for education her colleagues and the larger community
about what it means to experience homelessness….”
Linda Triplett: Department of Executive Services
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“…Linda's sound judgment and years of experience in claims management has
made her invaluable to our office as we seek to defend and resolve hundreds of lawsuits
each year. We feel she is uniquely qualified for this year's MLK award for many reasons, but
two stand out in particular: (1) Linda Triplett brings a unique spirit of impartiality and fairness to
every matter brought before her. Her pursuit of equity guides her analysis of very matter.
Her contribution to our case recommendations is highly valued for this reason, and we
believe her desire to justly and fairly resolve each matter qualifies her for this award.
Legal matters that challenge King County often involve people in crisis and grief.
Linda's ability to bring both comfort and justice to these difficult situations while upholding
the public's expectation of fiscal responsibility is truly remarkable….
(2) At the request of King County officials, Linda has been acting as King County's
Risk Manager for the last 13 months while still fulfilling her duties as Claims Manager.
She did this flawlessly and without complaint. …”
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“…Her leadership style follows the philosophy of Dr. King, and
brings out the best in each employee to get the job done effectively and efficiently….
The time, creativity, and skill that Ms. Triplett's has used to break down employment and business
barriers for women and people of color have had a positive impact for all
County employees and citizens….”
Carol A. Allen: Public Health
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“…Carol is a very kind and outgoing, wonderful women. In the
eight months that I have been here, she has been very instrumental in this project.
She knows all the right angles that it takes to make this work. I have seen her
load her car down with things to help empower our clients in their management of
their Asthma. Carol had been chosen to speak at several Asthma Conferences in
front of thousands of people. Carol also teaches asthma awareness to teachers
and day care providers. Carol has also worked with the seniors of King County.
Carol wants to help all the people she can. Carol has gone above and
beyond the call to help people no matter if its Asthma related or not. So this
is my way of saying Thank you Carol for being one in a MILLION.”
Group Award nominee
“Environmental Justice Needs Assessment Project (EJNA)
From materials submitted supporting the nomination:
“…King County Project participants include:
- Julia Berg, Communication Specialist from Water & Land DNRP
- June Beleford, Regional Health Educator, Community Based Public Health Programs DPH
- Morgan Barry, Public Health Education Coordinator, DPH
- Maria Batayola, Diversity Manager, Human Resources, DES
These individuals are collectively attempting to break down barriers
for immigrants and refugees in accessing environmental and health government services
by promoting community empowerment, governmental/community/non-profit agency partnerships,
and developing innovative approaches that are cross-culturally and language appropriate
to serve said communities. The project hopes to create positive changes in the environmental
health of said County and City residents.
…[T]he Environmental Justice Project's purpose is to build neighborhood networks
that would meet the environmental health needs of neighborhoods with a large number of immigrants
and refugees, who are mostly underserved. The project is intended to partner with
communities to find out what the neighborhood residents are worried about in terms of
pollution, their air and water, their utilities, the conditions in their neighborhood and
figure out ways for public agencies to do a much better job of meeting the
environmental health needs of immigrants and refugees. In order to do that, public
agencies need to join with community organizations and groups as equal partners to
address issues of community access, language problems, and capitalize on community strengths.
To date, the International District Neighborhood/Yesler Terrace and
White Center neighborhood projects have been launched with a third project to be launched in
King County location….”
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