2022 Minuteman Cane Award - Leona Martin

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� 2022 MINUTEMAN CANE AWARD � �� .�a9f�; The Select Board of the Town of Lexington,Massachusetts,hereby recognizes and presents Y��' `�'f the 2022 MINUTEMAN CANE AWARD to: � � LEONA MARTIN �� :��`�� „�� The Minuteman Cane Award Selection Committee is pleased to announce that the recipient of ` � '` the 2022 award is Leona Martin. Service to the town is a hallmark of the Minuteman Cane Award, and Leona has demonstrated her dedication to serving Lexington. A Lexington resident for 57 years, Leona is among the few people of color who are long-time Lexington residents. Leona has played a vital and active role in promoting civil rights and multiculturalism in our town over many decades. Leona has always been generous with her time and gracious with the broad range of people she has come in contact with through her community involvement. Leona was a trailblazer in working on civil rights issues here in Lexington. As far back as the late 1960s, she served as Publicity Chairman for both the Lexington Civil Rights Committee and the Lexington METCO program. She was appointed by the Board of Selectman to the Lexington No Place for Hate Steering Committee and was instrumental in helping the town become a"No Place for Hate" community. In 2008-2014, she was a founding member of the Lexington Human Rights Committee. She was the first and only black member elected as Commissioner of the Lexington Housing Authority, where she served for 25 years. She was a member of the Lexington Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee for 10 years and was appointed to several other town committees. In addition, she served as a Town Meeting member for 14 years. Her interest in celebrating the diversity and multiculturalism of our community led her to help organize, and coordinate for 10 years, LexFest, a multicultural event that represented all races and cultures. Leona is well-respected as a leader and mentor for Lexington's African-American community. When the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington(ABCL) formed in 2017, they looked to Leona for guidance and her perspective on the history of civil rights efforts in the town. She served as the first chair of their Historic and Cultural Events Committee and remains an active member. She is a strong advocate for affordable housing to enable families of diverse backgrounds and financial means to be able to live in Lexington. Leona's spirit, commitment and determination have helped to make our town a more inclusive and welcoming place for all its citizens. It is therefare with great pleasure that we proclaim Leona Martin to be the 2022 Minuteman Cane Award recipient. Congratulations! Issued in grateful appreciation this 13�day of Apri12022. � �. � � � , . � � � �� �:��..��:�:.�.��...�.�.� �� a.�� �� ..� �� Select Board .�tle �� Chair,Minuteman Cane Award