Human Rights

2017 Human Rights Day

Celebrate the 18th Annual Human Rights Day event on Thursday, December 7, 2017 at 7 pm at Seattle First Baptist Church with the Seattle Human Rights Commission, Seattle Office for Civil Rights and our Human Rights Day planning partners and sponsors. The event is free and open to the public. Reception begins at 6PM. The program begins at 7PM

This year’s keynote speakers are Ethel Branch, Nikkita Oliver, and Jorge Baron.

This event is accessible, including an ASL interpreter in attendance.
Call 206-684-4540 to request an accommodation or email marta.idowu@seattle.gov. Information about Seattle Human Rights Day is available in other formats on request.

Human Rights Day commemorates the anniversary of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted December 10, 1948.

2017 Human Rights Day Flyer

2015 Human Rights Awards

As part of the Human Rights Day event, the Human Rights Commission will announce the 2015 Human Rights Awards. Every year our Human Rights Day celebration recognizes Seattle’s exceptional human rights leaders.

Nominations for the 2015 Human Rights Awards were submitted by Monday, November 23, 2015.

Awardees were selected based on the following criteria:

  • Demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing human rights.
  • Works for racial and social justice.
  • Provides courageous leadership.
  • Develops innovative programs advancing human rights.
  • Supports equal opportunities and workplaces free from discrimination.
  • Business awardees: Provides a living wage, fosters a positive work environment, and has family friendly policies.

Congratulations to 2015 Human Rights Awardees!

From Seattle Human Rights Commission:

  • Rising Human Rights Leaders: Youth Undoing Institutional Racism
  • Individual Human Rights Leader: Mary Flowers
  • Business Human Rights Leader: On Point Real Estate
  • Organization Human Rights Leader: Books to Prisoners
  • Coalition Human Rights Leader: Rainier Beach Action Coalition
  • Artist Human Rights Leader: Nikkita Oliver
  • Honorary Award: Africatown Innovation Center

From the Seattle Commission for People with disAbilities:

  • Excellence in Inclusion: Councilmember Bruce Harrell and Teesha Kirschbaum

From the United Nations Association:

  • Eleanor Roosevelt: PeaceTrees Vietnam

Past award recipients have included: The Colectivo de Detenidos, Matt Remle, Garfield High School’s Black Student Union, Yasmin Christopher, Legal Voice, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, Casa Latina, Pride Foundation, Molly Moons and Tutta Bella, among others.

RSJI Speaker Series

Our keynote speaker, Kimberlé Crenshaw, joins us as part of the 2015 RSJI Speaker Series. This series brings thoughtful, provocative and powerful speakers from across the country to Seattle to speak on the racial equity issues of today.

We hope to see you there!

Human Rights Day & RSJI Speaker Series

This material, as well as reasonable accommodations for meetings and events, is available on request for people with disabilities. To request an accommodation, call (206) 684-4500 or complete the accommodations request form on seattle.gov/americans-with-disabilities-act.