Cynthia Connolly accepts Community Shares’ 2018 Rising Activist award
Policy Matters Ohio development director Cynthia Connolly received the 2018 Rising Activist award from Greater Cleveland Community Shares. The award honors an individual under the age of 40 whose social justice activism sets a strong example for young adult leadership and engagement in the social justice arena in Greater Cleveland.
Cynthia, a citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, was nominated by Amy Hanauer for her work as the driving force behind Policy Matters Ohio’s fundraising efforts, as well as her work as an advocate for Cleveland’s Native American community. “We are amazed every day by Cynthia’s work, not only for us at Policy Matters, but for the Native American community in Cleveland and everywhere,” said Hanauer. “She is an inspiration.”
Cynthia’s activism includes fundraising for culture classes and pow wow for the Lake Erie Native American Council; tutoring with the American Indian Science & Engineering Society; leading the committee to add a Native American garden to Cleveland’s Cultural Gardens; and standing on the front lines of the fight against racist mascots, names, and imagery in sports.
Cynthia received the award at Community Shares’ annual Power Lunch, a celebration of social justice organizations and activists from around Northeast Ohio.
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