The MainStream Education Foundation will honor Bert Berkley and Sandy Praeger at its 14th annual “Stand Up, Speak Out” awards dinner on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Overland Park Marriott Hotel. A special recognition award will be given to Reroute the Roadmap. Reservations are $100. Tickets are available at mainstreamcoalition.org.
{mprestriction ids="1"}The Robert H. Meneilly “Stand Up, Speak Out” award was created in 2001 to recognize local community leaders who demonstrate respect for the rights, beliefs and freedoms of all individuals, have the courage to stand up for justice and equality, even when unpopular, and understand the importance of the political process in securing these rights.
Since the 1960s, business leader and community activist Berkley has been involved in discussions with local municipalities about changing restrictive real estate covenants barring Jewish and black residents. One of Berkley’s visions was the founding of the Local Investment Commission (LINC), a city-driven community collaborative involving numerous neighborhood leaders, businesses, civic and labor leaders to improve the lives of children and families in the Kansas City area.
Praeger, the current (and outgoing) Kansas State Insurance Commissioner, has served in the Kansas Senate and House. She has testified many times before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on Health reform issues. She has publicly stated that she is opposed to the re-election of Sam Brownback, a fellow Republican.
Reroute the Roadmap, a bipartisan organization, was formed by three Republican and three Democrat women in an effort to protect our children, rural communities, financial futures and bring sanity back to Topeka. The six women — Laura Kelly, Sandy Praeger, Joan Wagnon, Rochelle Chronister, Sheila Frahm and Jill Docking —hope to bring sanity back to Topeka.
Hosted by the MainStream Education Foundation, the event is dedicated to educating its members and the public about moderate positions and political issues through our publications, forums, and other events.
Social hour begins at 5 p.m.; dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m.
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