Kathey Avery honored with 2022 Rosa Parks Award
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Four local women have been selected as recipients of the annual Rosa Parks Award, given by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County.
The award honors women in the community who have fulfilled four criteria, including fostering a culture of inclusion in the Asheville community, working to achieve a just society for the disadvantaged, exemplifying a nonviolent philosophy in pursuit of a better life for non-majority people and inspiring direct action in the cause of social justice.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County’s Community Outreach Providing Empowerment (COPE) programs committee selected the following women for the 2022 award and described each of their contributions:
Kathey Avery, founder and owner of Avery Health – Education and Consulting, has been relentless in her efforts to combat COVID-19 in the community by educating the public about the virus and the benefits of getting vaccinated.
Sophie Dixon, a leader in the Shiloh community, has worked tirelessly to uplift the community through youth mentorship, food sustainability projects and enhancing community relations.
Antanette Mosley, a member of the Asheville City Council, has been a force in the community for improving affordable housing opportunities, supporting Black businesses and eliminating the racial opportunity gap in local schools.
Dr. Tiece Ruffin, director of Africana Studies and professor of Africana Studies & Education at UNC Asheville, works to improve public education in NC by being a champion for justice, equity and inclusion for the local community's diverse students.