The Lens is the City’s newsletter to expand conversations on equity, inclusion, belonging, and access.
Human Rights Awards
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Human Rights Awards. Over the past four decades, these awards have honored individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting human rights in our community. This year the Commission will celebrate the significant milestone, reflect on the progress made in the fight for equality and justice, and recognize the following recipients.
Grace Pulido has been a dedicated volunteer, providing essential healthcare support and advocacy for immigrant women and women of color. Her commitment has made a significant impact among those she serves and embodies the spirit of the Isabel Turner Award.
Lynette Jacoby’s unwavering commitment and tireless efforts epitomize the spirit of the Linda Severson Award. Through her work as Johnson County Social Services Director, she has created a safety net for individuals and families, ensuring they have access to essential services.
Deb Dunkhase’s tireless efforts embody the essence of the International Award. As a co-founder of Open Heartland, Deb has been instrumental in providing educational resources and support to immigrant families, helping them navigate their new environments and thrive.
The Housing Trust Fund of Johnson County has been a pivotal force in addressing the affordable housing crisis in the region. The Bill Reagan Award honors its exceptional contributions and relentless dedication to promoting housing equity in Johnson County.
Leonard Sandler has exemplified what it means to be a passionate advocate for justice throughout his legal career. The Rick Graf Award recognizes Leonard's tireless efforts and impactful contributions to the field of law and his unwavering support for marginalized communities.
Emma G. Anderson is a Human Rights Certificate student at the University of Iowa, double majoring in Political Science and International Relations, with a minor in Philosophy. Emma’s unwavering commitment to Dr. Ahmad Reza Djalali, an Iranian-Swedish doctor imprisoned in Iran since 2016, and passionate pursuit of human rights both on and off campus represent the values honored by the Kenneth Cmiel Award.
Racial Equity and Social Justice grant application
The application, submission, and review process for the Racial Equity and Social Justice grant is currently undergoing revisions. As a result, submissions will not be solicited in 2024. The grant is set to launch in 2025.
To stay updated on the grant and other related events, we encourage you to subscribe to the Office of Equity and Human Rights listserv. To do so, visit this link, enter your email address, hit submit, scroll to “News and Events,” and select “Equity and Human Rights.” Additionally, you can follow us on Instagram @ichumanrights for the latest updates and announcements.
Lens Webinar Series
The last Lens Webinar for the year will be co-sponsored by the Iowa City Public Library and will feature author Deirdre Mask.
About the book The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal about Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power, looks at the fate of streets named after Martin Luther King Jr., the wayfinding means of ancient Romans, and how Nazis haunt the streets of modern Germany. The flipside of having an address is not having one, and we also see what that means for millions of people today, including those who live in the slums of Kolkata and on the streets of London. Filled with fascinating people and histories, The Address Book illuminates the complex and sometimes hidden stories behind street names and their power to name, to hide, to decide who counts, who doesn’t—and why. The Iowa City Public Library has copies available and you can check on the status at this link.
About the author Deirdre Mask graduated from Harvard College summa cum laude and attended the University of Oxford before returning to Harvard for law school, where she was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. She completed a Master’s in Writing at the National University of Ireland. Originally from North Carolina, she has taught at Harvard and the London School of Economics. She currently lives with her husband and daughters in London.
How to register and watch Pre-registration is required. Sign up at this link. The Iowa City Public Library has reserved Meeting Room A, 123 S. Linn St., for viewing for persons who are not able to attend via Zoom on their own.
Questions or accommodations
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all City of Iowa City–sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact Stefanie Bowers in advance at 319-356-5022 or sbowers@iowa-city.org.
Your voice matters!
The City is seeking applicants to fill three vacancies on the Human Rights Commission. Each term runs through December 31, 2027. Service on the Commission is voluntary.
Meeting Details:
When: Fourth Tuesday of each month
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Commission Responsibilities:
Educating the public on civil and human rights
Planning programs and activities to eliminate discrimination
Making recommendations to the City Council regarding Racial Equity and Social Justice Grant funding and local legislation related to discrimination
To learn more about the Commission and read its current strategic plan, visit the Commission's homepage. Visit this site to apply. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024.
Monthly editions of The Real MainStream now available at City Hall
In September, the City become a distribution hub for The Real MainStream, also known as TRM, a progressive, intersectional, LGBTQ+ affirming publication serving Illinois and Iowa. The Office of Equity and Human Rights will mail out monthly editions via USPS at no cost to Iowa City residents who are unable to come to City Hall. Email humanrights@iowa-city.org to request a copy.
Fair housing complaints rise nationally
The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) reported a record high in fair housing complaints for the third consecutive year, with 34,150 complaints filed in 2023, up from 33,007 in 2022. The 2024 Fair Housing Trends Report reveals a significant increase in harassment complaints, particularly based on race and color.
Disability-related complaints were the most common, making up 52.61% of all complaints. The NFHA's report, based on data from 86 member organizations and various agencies, highlights the ongoing challenges in combating housing discrimination.
Many instances of housing discrimination go unreported each year due to difficulties in identification and documentation, as well as fears of retaliation or eviction. Despite this, tracking the available data is crucial for highlighting where resources are most needed.
Access the full report and an interactive map showing key findings by state here.
Human Rights Commissioners and staff out and about
Commissioner Mark Pries (second from left) at the September Lens Workshop Fostering Welcoming Environments Through Inclusive Dialogue.
Commissioner Idriss Abdullahi at the Parks and Recreation’s Mental Health Celebration Day on Sept. 22, 2024.
Human Rights Investigator Kristin Watson and Communications Assistant Madison Tarbox at the Americans with Disabilities Act Celebration in Downtown Iowa City.
In honor of Joe D. Coulter
This edition of The Lens is in remembrance of former Human Rights Commissioner Joe D. Coulter, PH.D. Joe served on the City’s first Ad Hoc Diversity Committee from 2012-2013 and then went on to serve six years on the Human Rights Commission, 2013-2019. He was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Iowa and was an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma. Joe taught and researched American Indian/Alaska Native health and had multiple leadership roles at the state and national level including serving on the Iowa Commission on Native American Affairs.
Questions or accommodations
For questions or if you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in any of our programs, contact the office at 319-356-5022 or humanrights@iowa-city.org. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.
