The William R. Laws Human Rights Award is an honor bestowed annually to a Bartholomew County resident or group for substantial contributions locally toward human equality.
Criteria for selection include contributions in at least one of the following areas:
•Improving relationships among all people
•Increasing the sensitivity of one group toward another
•Educating about or eliminating the barriers facing people of color, women, persons with disabilities, religious minorities, or others who have been treated unequally because of prejudice
•Protecting the rights of others
Taking the criteria into consideration, it’s easy to see why Larry Perkinson, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s employee and students assistance coordinator, was selected as this year’s recipient of the Laws award.
He’ll receive it May 11 during a presentation at The Commons.
During his four-decade career in education, Perkinson has looked out for the best interests of students, their families and school faculty.
He’s been a go-to person for assistance in dealing with problems that are often difficult and sometimes very personal. Issues he’s addressed include discrimination, substance abuse, homelessness, bullying, suicide and domestic violence.
His assistance has gone beyond the walls of the schools in the district. Perkinson also has been involved in efforts to tackle community problems, such as the local crisis of opioid addiction.
Perkinson’s contributions and efforts tell of a man who values each person and wants to see them doing well. That makes him a great choice for the Laws award.
