Suazo Award for Bertie Kee Lopez
Our own Bertie Kee Lopez, Native American Tribal Court Attorney, was recognized with a Pete Suazo Social Justice Award at a ceremony on Friday April 8th.
These awards are presented annually by the University of Utah College of Social Work. This is the 10th annual presentation. Pete Suazo was a ceaseless advocate for civil rights and social justice. He was killed in a tragic accident in 2001 after being elected two times to the Utah House of Representatives and once to the Utah State Senate.
Past recipients of Suazo awards include Mayor Peter Corroon, Rep. David Litvak (who this year delivered the keynote address), Mary Jane Ciccarello, Fraser Nelson, Judge Andrew Valdez, Irene Fisher, Pamela Atkinson, Judge William Thorne, Judy Hilman and Barbara Toomer.
Bertie was recognized with a Community Advocacy and Service Award. Other recipients this year included the Women's Resource Center at the U, Debbie Rocha, Mark Alvarez and Bonnie Peters. Also recognized under the Public Awareness category was the Radio from Hell radio show on X96.
Bertie was nominated by Sheldon Spotted Elk who stated that Bertie has become "the cornerstone of Indian law in the state of Utah", and that "she bridges the gap of access to justice." Bertie was recognized as "a role model for women and Native Americans everywhere."
Congratulations for the well-deserved honor Bertie!