(August 1, 2024 | HARTFORD) – The Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC) will begin accepting nominations for its annual Connecticut Democracy Center awards, which recognize Connecticut residents who are committed to strengthening democracy through acts of citizenship, service, and community engagement. The second annual CTDC Awards celebration will be held at Connecticut’s Old State House on March 13, 2025, to pay tribute to Connecticut’s business, community, and philanthropic leaders. The CTDC’s Philanthropic Leader Award was established in memory of Mary Gawlicki, its first recipient, who served on the organization’s Board of Directors from 2018 to 2023. Nominations for all three awards categories will be accepted through October 20 and can be submitted online at https://bit.ly/CTDemocracyAwards. The nomination process is designed to be quick and easy.
As a leader in Connecticut civics education, The Connecticut Democracy Center specializes in bringing people of all ages together, inspiring them to strengthen our communities and democracy itself through productive civic engagement. The Connecticut Democracy Center Awards recognize Connecticut community, business, and philanthropic leaders who represent the best of that engagement and whose stories inspire others to do the same. “We established these awards last year to recognize extraordinary acts of public service in government, in business, in our schools, and our communities and neighborhoods,” says William A. Bevacqua, President & CEO of The Connecticut Democracy Center. “The Connecticut Democracy Center is committed to shining a light on the dedicated and talented people and organizations who set out to make a positive difference in communities across Connecticut. We want to share their stories to affirm that American democracy, our system of self-government, remains only as strong as our capacity and commitment to working together.”
The CTDC Community Leader Award recognizes an individual (16 and older) who has successfully demonstrated leadership in advancing democratic engagement and the role of citizens in a democracy.
The CTDC Business Leader Award recognizes a business with a presence in Connecticut that shows its commitment to addressing issues that impact people in Connecticut.
The Mary C. Gawlicki Philanthropic Leader Award is given to an individual or organization that provides support to non-profit organizations working to strengthen civic engagement, community, and/or the institutions of democracy in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Democracy Center, founded in 1998, offers programs that provide people a lifetime pathway and tools to take civic action in their communities. CTDC offers ground-breaking and immersive civics and history programs, including Kid Governor® and Connecticut History Day. Connecticut’s Old State House, managed in partnership with the Connecticut General Assembly, provides a unique setting for civic exploration. Exhibits, workshops, and events bring together civic experts, educators, historians, public figures, and the public for timely, nonpartisan conversations to explore historical and modern-day perspectives on government, democracy, and social issues. The Connecticut Network (CT-N), also managed in partnership with the Connecticut General Assembly, is the state’s source for complete and balanced coverage of Connecticut state government and public policy.
For more information on The Connecticut Democracy Center and the Connecticut Democracy Center Awards, please visit ctdemocracycenter.org.