By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Mar 26 | Author, political strategist and civil rights activist David Mixner will be honoured by Point Foundation (Point) at the organization’s third annual “NY Point Honours” gala. Point, the nation’s largest scholarship-granting organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students of merit, will present the Point Legend Award to Mixner at their benefit to be held at 583 Park Avenue in New York City on April 19, 2010.
Victoria Reggie Kennedy, widow of U.S. Senator Edward M. “Ted” Kennedy, will present the award to Mixner.
“David Mixner is one of the great civil rights leaders of our time. I am proud to join the Point Foundation in honouring him, just as my husband was proud to work over the decades with David to achieve full equality for all our people,” said Vicki Kennedy. “Ted prized David as a powerful advocate, a teacher of truth, and a great friend. He is one of those rare people who bend history itself.”
The Point Legend Award is presented to an individual who has, through the course of their lifetime, achieved greatness in their professional career and unapologetically supported the LGBT community. Playwright/director Arthur Laurents received the inaugural award in April 2009.
Point’s Executive Director & CEO, Jorge Valencia, commented,
“David has been a force within the LGBT community for many, many years and has been a supporter of Point Foundation since its early years. In celebrating 50 years of community organising and volunteerism, we’re humbled that he’s graciously agreed to be recognised by Point. He continues to be a source of inspiration to society and more importantly, our youth. He deserves this award and is a shining example of the type of leader Point Scholars strive to be.”
David Mixner Photo By Getty Images
The mission of Point Foundation is to provide financial support, mentoring, leadership training and hope to meritorious students who are marginalised due to sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Additionally, Point Foundation provides programs that affect social change by challenging attitudes that contribute to social stigma and its resulting prejudice, which is often experienced by those in the LGBT community.
Applicants to Point Foundation and subsequent scholars, turn to Point Foundation because their families are either unable or unwilling to support them and their goals for higher education. Each student has a compelling and inspiring story of overcoming incredible obstacles and hardships. Many have been cruelly rejected by their families, forced to leave home, and cut off from all financial support. Yet Point Scholars are excelling at our nation's most prestigious and demanding universities and colleges, while also leading in a variety of extracurricular and community service activities.
Point Foundation’s academic/program year begins in July with a Leadership Conference, where past and recently awarded scholars receive intensive training in leadership development, accountability, community service guidance, and advocacy and philanthropy to the LGBT community. Most importantly, Point Foundation instills a clear understanding of how these attributes all relate to the community’s history and development.
In addition to financial support, Point Foundation matches each scholar with a mentor who is a successful professional in fields such as the arts, science, education, business, law, medicine and other humanities.
Point Foundation Mentors build rewarding, personal relationships and serve as exemplary role models for the organisation’s scholars. They also assist Point Scholars with professional career decisions, including the pursuit of graduate studies, internship placement and job opportunities after graduation. Additionally, each Point Mentor oversees the design and completion of an annual community service leadership project that is required of each scholar. Throughout the year, Point Mentors and Scholars work collaboratively to set goals and objectives that build leadership skills through service.
Point Scholars have a proven track record of leadership and scholastic achievement along with a strong desire to make a difference in the world. Point Foundation believes these scholars are the future of the next generation of the LGBT community.
For more information about Point Foundation: www.pointfoundation.org.
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