[Press Release] : Mary Ratliff, Minority Men's Network named Diversity Award winners

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of
Columbia’s Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided
links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.
______________________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
Contact: Office of Community Services - (573) 874-7488 (v), 874-7356
(tty) or Public Communications - (573) 874-7220

Mary Ratliff, Minority Men's Network named Diversity Award winners

COLUMBIA, MO (January 11, 2007) -- Mary Ratliff was named the winner of
the individual award and Minority Men’s Network was the organizational
winner of the 10th Annual Columbia Values Diversity Awards. The awards
were given at this morning’s Columbia Values Diversity Celebration at
the Holiday Inn Select Expo Center.

The awards are given to an individual/family and an organization/group
that have made significant contributions in promoting appreciation for
diversity and cultural understanding in Columbia. This is the 10th year
for the awards.

Mary Ratliff
Mary Ratliff, a graduate of Columbia School of Nursing, is retired from
her work in the Director’s Office at Harry S. Truman Veteran’s
Hospital. Her time now, as in the past, is devoted to her church, family
and our community. Mary is a faithful member of Second Missionary
Baptist Church where she serves as a deaconess, member of the Women’s
Missionary Union, and co-chair of the church Building Fund Committee.

Mary is known for her devotion to the rights of African American
people. She has served as the president of the NAACP of Columbia for
nearly 30 years. Her advocacy work in Columbia has impacted our
community, the state of Missouri, and even the nation. She is outspoken
in her views but also works diligently for positive change in matters of
equality. 

Her nominator, Martha McCrary wrote: “Mary has walked with pride
while cultivating the habit of keeping her promise and building bridges
of trust that span the gaps of understanding between herself, minority
communities and citizens of Columbia.”

Mary’s leadership has introduced positive programs such as the
NAACP’s “Back-In-School, Stay-In-School” tutoring program for
youth ages 5-17. She also led a voter registration initiative that
resulted in 2,200 people registering to vote. 

Mary is a proven leader who gets things done. She is a team player with
a clear understanding of issues facing the community. However, she sees
this as a challenge and willingly steps forward to accept it.

Minority Men’s Network
The Minority Men’s Network is a group of Columbia leaders who serve
as a support group for individuals to provide leadership and address
issues that are vital to the minority community. The primary
participants of Minority Men’s Network are African American and other
“at risk” minority males.

The purpose of the organization is to:
* serve the community.
* provide leadership.
* encourage others to affect youth and adults in the Columbia
minority community.
* be an information source for and communicate to others vital issues
to the minority community.
* serve as role models both collectively and individually for youth.
* listen objectively and address community concerns that affect youth
and adults in ethnic minority communities.
* support established organizations working for the betterment of
minority groups.

For 20 years the Minority Men’s Network has worked positively to
assure these goals are met.

In addition, members of the organization work in community groups such
as the Mayor’s Task Force on Race Relations, the Chamber of Commerce,
the West Boulevard School Improvement Project and, most recently, a
member was selected as co-chair of the city’s visioning process.
Finally, the group awards scholarships to local students through its
education foundation.

- 30 -
______________________________________________________

Archived press releases can be viewed online at: 
http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Public_Comm/Public_Information/Press_Releases/

______________________________________________________

If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or
subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and
follow the instructions provided. 

http://www.gocolumbiamo.com/Web_Mail/index.php