New York
City, May 10 - Recognizing her tireless support
of New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS, and her 25 years of
dedication to non-profit causes locally and nationally, the
National Coalition of Ethnic Organizations will honor Dawn
Bryan with a
2006 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
For more than fifteen years, Bryan has
led The Momentum Project, Inc., a widely admired
organization which provides meals and services to the most
disenfranchised New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. Since
1993, Bryan has been the organization’s president and CEO.
As head of Momentum, Bryan helped
develop the city-wide agency as an acclaimed national model
for congregate meals and services for hard-to-reach
populations in their own communities. Throughout the week
the program serves thousands of clients at various sites
throughout the boroughs of New York City.
Bryan, who has dedicated herself to
national and local non-profit service for over 25 years,
will receive the award Saturday, May 13, at a ceremony on
Ellis Island.
With Bryan’s vision, The Momentum
Project has adapted its mission and services to serve New
Yorkers hardest-hit by the AIDS pandemic. Today, Momentum
serves a clientele that is heavily ethnic, female, and
older, reflecting the path that AIDS has taken as the
pandemic has evolved.
"This honor has tremendous meaning for
me personally, and it will be even more fulfilling if it can
help draw attention to poor and disenfranchised New Yorkers
who are struggling to live with HIV and AIDS," Bryan said.
"I’m grateful to be included in such distinguished company
as this year’s medal winners, and those who have been
honored throughout history."
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor is
given annually by the National Ethnic Coalition of
Organizations (NECO) to recognize distinguished Americans of
various ethnic origins for their outstanding contributions
to the United States.
This year’s honorees include
bestselling author Deepak Chopra, broadcaster Rita Cosby,
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, and Qualcomm founder Irwin
Jacobs.
Distinguished recipients include six
U.S. Presidents, Nobel laureates, and leaders in the arts,
science, education, law, business and community service.
Both the United States Senate and the House of
Representatives have officially recognized the Ellis Medal
of Honor and recipients are recorded in the Congressional
Record.
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