18 year old Gwendolyn Greene picketing outside of Glen Echo Park.
Adopted June 2009
Background: Gwendolyn T. Britt served as the first Maryland Legislative District 47 senator from 2003 to her death in 2008. From start to finish, her public life exemplified Progressive Cheverly's commitment to fairness, justice and civil rights. In her youth, she helped to desegregate Glen Echo Park which led to her first arrest. She later spent 40 days in jail in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s for her role as a Freedom Rider. As our state senator, she championed our causes by working to safeguard the environment, protect voting rights, and ensure marriage equality, among other efforts.
Purpose: In memory of Senator Britt, this award honors a resident of Prince George’s County for sustained work in support of Progressive Cheverly’s mission and principles. Members and non-members of Progressive Cheverly are eligible for the award.
Process: Any member of Progressive Cheverly can nominate an individual or organization for the Britt Award by relaying the nominee’s name to a member of the Executive Committee along with supporting evidence. The Executive Committee decides by consensus whether to make the award.
Awards are made on an as-merited schedule, rather than a fixed yearly or other schedule. Awards may be made posthumously. To maintain the significance of the award, the intent is that not more than one award would be made per year, on average.
Award: A framed certificate of appreciation is presented at a public meeting, along with a donation (to be determined by the Executive Committee, envisioned in the $200 range) to be made to the charitable cause selected by the awardee.
