Making Democracy Work Award

Making Democracy Work Award

Retiring Indiana Representative Dennis Avery is the recipient of the League's third annual Making Democracy Work. The award "honors a leader who has contributed in a meaningful way to ensure our community remains a strong and vibrant place to live and work."

Avery, who is retiring at the end of this term, was honored for his 36 years of service to the 75th District and the state of Indiana. League president Roberta Heiman commented that "During his Statehouse career, Avery pushed for legilation dealing with children's rights, including reporting child abuse and neglect and the creation of programs to help prevent further incidents."

The award was presented at the April 8th, 2010 Lunch with the League at the YWCA.

Vanderburgh County Clerk Susan K. Kirk was the recipient of the second annual Making Democracy Work Award in 2009. The 2008 MDW honoree was Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepherd, honored for his work on the Kernan-Shepherd report on streamlining local government.

Ms. Kirk was instrumental in establishing polling stations in the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Libraries during the 2008 and 2009 elections, making the election more accessible to Vanderburgh County residents. She also cooperated with a League survey of poll workers that led to several changes in the training of these workers.