Arizona Humanities Celebrates: Hands-on Humanities

PAUL HIRT- Dan Shilling Public Scholar Award

A lifelong Arizonan, Professor Paul Hirt is an historian and practitioner of the public and environmental humanities specializing in the American West, environmental history, environmental policy, and sustainability studies. Hirt is Professor of History in Arizona State University’s School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies and is a Senior Sustainability Scholar in ASU’s Global Institute of Sustainability. Professor Hirt is a quintessential practitioner of the public humanities: his work is intended for a broad audience and seeks to contribute substantively to debates over public policy and the stewardship of Arizona’s public resources. A tireless public advocate of the humanities and their relevance for the Arizona public, Hirt regularly gives presentations about water resources, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and more across the state to civic organizations, student groups, retirement communities, and on the Navajo Nation.

AGUILA YOUTH LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE – Juliana Yoder Friend of the Humanities Award

 AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute (AGUILA) was founded in 2004 based on more than 30 years of research and experience on how to positively impact communities through education. During the past 15 years AGUILA has successfully guided more than 1,400 youth to 135 colleges/universities across the United States, with scholarships totaling more than $120 million beyond federal aid. Eighty-seven percent of AGUILA students are the first person in their family to attend college. Eighty-five percent of students meet or fall below federal poverty guidelines. Many AGUILA students received little or no guidance on college, career and life before joining the program. Today AGUILA Alumni are employed as teachers, nurses, doctors, engineers, lawyers, business professionals, entrepreneurs, research scientists, and more. AGUILA student success is evident through not only their educational and professional achievements, but also through civic service.

J.J. LAMB – Juliana Yoder Friend of the Humanities Award

As Executive Director of the Vail Preservation Society, J.J. Lamb has led a multitude of projects that have not only preserved the history of her community, but also involved a wide range of citizens.  High school students learned new skills working on the rehabilitation of the 1915 Marsh Station Section Foreman House. Local artists have created the Vail Connects Artist and Artisan Cooperative. Many local individuals have shared their oral histories, now preserved through the Voices of Vail and Celebrating Every Voice projects. Lamb’s work has contributed to her community, the state and the nation beyond.

ROSAURA MAGANA– Humanities Rising Star Award

Rosaura “Chawa” Magaña is a cultural worker, literary organizer, safe-space creator, healing presence, compassionate listener, principled voice, and the owner/operator of Palabras Bilingual Bookstore. Magaña has created a unique space that has shifted the cultural landscape of Phoenix to be more inclusive, equitable, and artistically enriched. Besides providing a much needed space for Spanish speakers to seek literary works in their language, Magaña has created her monthly “POC It To Me” open mic to center the local voices of people of color. She has also established a book club for women, developed a bi-weekly writing group for women of color, and has invited other organizations to host writing groups, such us Trans Queer Pueblo’s “Creatures of Our Dreams.” Her tireless advocacy and community-centered approach has impacted many people.  Magaña has given a voice to people of color, and also fostered community connections and growth.

JUDITH HARDES – Outstanding Supporter Award

Judith Hardes is a longtime financial supporter of Arizona Humanities and of arts and culture in Arizona. Hardes is a local philanthropist and recipient of the 2018 Governor’s Arts Award for philanthropy for her lifelong commitment to arts and culture, and for her encouragement of others to give to arts and culture. Hardes has donated annually to Arizona Humanities for 20 years. She is the most consistent donor that we can identify. This means a lot to us and the organizations that receive grants and attend our cultural programs across the state.  “Those who support arts and culture through their generous philanthropy are deeply vital to the long-term success and vitality of so many nonprofit organizations…Judith is among the most ardent, consistent and important donors in Arizona through her unwavering commitment to and enthusiasm for the performing arts.” Rusty Foley, AZ Citizens for the Arts.

KAREN O’KEEFE – Founder’s Community Partner 

Karen O’Keefe is an outstanding educator with a focus on K-12 literacy, and a unique passion for connecting students to the community through her extensive outreach efforts. O’Keefe seeks out people in the community to support literacy programs including retired and working individuals, illustrators, artists, authors, and even family members of the students. She also enlists the support of countless community-based, nonprofit and corporate organizations. O’Keefe’s community-based events both inside and outside the school, have recast the importance of literacy for Mountain View School. She is the recipient of many awards of excellence from the Washington School District for her innovative/interactive learning programs including PencilPALS, Multi-Cultural Day, Young Authors Day, Family Reading Nights, and Read Across America Day.

The Arizona Humanities Awards event will take place on April 5 at the Heard Museum. Please check back for event details at www.azhumanities.org.