Traverse City Record-Eagle

Grand Traverse County

March 17, 2010

Two receive Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award

Advocates for homeless, disabled are recognized

BY ART BUKOWSKI

TRAVERSE CITY -- Plenty of people who came to Eugene Fox's yearly Fourth of July parties had nowhere else to go.

Fox, a tireless advocate for Traverse City's homeless population, held a party each year for homeless and other downtrodden residents.

"The people who never got invited to a party were part of Gene's guest list," said Fox's friend, Mary Pierce, 61. "They were outsiders, and Gene, for that day, made them insiders."

Fox and longtime disability and diversity advocate Susan Odgers received this year's Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award. Fox died in January, so his award was accepted by family members during a Monday ceremony at the Governmental Center.

The award is presented annually by the Traverse City Human Rights Commission to citizens who have a positive impact on the community, especially in the area of human rights. It's named after Sara H. Hardy, who helped found and served on the commission in the 1970s.

Odgers, a columnist for the Record-Eagle, teaches psychology, social work, liberal studies and more at Northwestern Michigan College, Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University.

She's worked to make many elements of the community more accessible for those with disabilities, and regularly works with several community groups.

"Susan Odgers, I don't think she sleeps," Pierce said. "She's involved in everything in the community; there's nothing she doesn't touch."

Odgers was "shocked" to receive the award. She hopes it inspires residents to get active in community organizations and causes.

"Everyone could plan in their life for a time when they can get involved ... I just want people to see that everybody has gifts to give, and we need everybody's participation," she said.

Pierce said Fox worked endlessly to help the area's homeless. He recently bought flashlights and took them to a group of homeless people living near the Grand Traverse Commons, Pierce said, part of his belief that direct action has the most impact.

"He wouldn't use the bureaucracy, he would just go directly to the people who needed (help)," she said. "He wasn't afraid."

Traverse City Commissioner Jim Carruthers didn't know Fox, but he's familiar with Odgers' efforts.

"It's about time," he said of Odgers receiving the award. "Susan is an advocate for many, many people in the community."

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