Congratulations to Michael Ginn and Dee Henry, the winners of this year’s John Romer Advocacy Award! Matthew Brown and Avery Benedict received honorable mentions for their advocacy work. Linda Kunick will receive the Legacy Award for a lifetime of advocacy.
The John Romer Advocacy Award recognizes people whose exceptional advocacy work on behalf of themselves and others has made a significant impact on their community. HCDDS will present the awards at our Advocacy Summit on Sept. 16.
Advocate: Michael Ginn
Michael Ginn’s advocacy is comprehensive, with a focus on community involvement. Michael has been involved in everything from Neighbors in Action and Synergy to PigAbilities and Project CARE. He’s made a difference by speaking up for himself and others.
In high school, Michael was told he would never amount to anything. Years later, he earned his GED and attended some college classes. His experiences have led him to encourage others who may not believe in themselves to pursue their dreams and passions.
People seek Michael’s advice, and he always makes them feel heard and supported. His advocacy shows that when we work hard and come together, we have better results.
Professional: Dee Henry
Dee Henry is a major contributor to local and statewide advocacy initiatives. Through their work as Disability Rights and Advocacy Specialist for Independence Alliance, Dee helps ensure the voices of the most vulnerable are put at the forefront.
She works to advance intersectionality for disabled people who are also LGBTQ+ and has been crucial in increasing accessibility at Cincinnati Pride. Dee created unique events like Accessibility and Brews, Disability Pride celebrations, and always works to make everything as inclusive as possible.
They’re also major contributors to the Cincinnati Accessibility Board of Advisors (CABA), the Ohio Olmstead Taskforce, and numerous other groups. Dee is a leader by example and kindness, who incorporates diverse perspectives and makes space for everyone.
Honorable Mention: Matthew Brown
Matthew Brown is a passionate advocate for public policy and community involvement. He’s a co-founder of Disability Advocates Network (DAN), a member of Neighbors in Action, a Project STIR graduate, and participates in multiple community groups.
Matthew often speaks about issues important to people with disabilities, like marriage equality, transportation, and housing. He encourages and assists others to share their perspectives on important topics by writing to elected officials.
Matthew’s strength is getting more people involved and helping others believe in themselves and the power of their own advocacy work. He puts a lot of thought into helping people see their own potential.
Honorable Mention: Avery Benedict
Avery Benedict is a special education major at the University of Cincinnati. She volunteers with UC’s IMPACT program and is a leader of SPARC, a student social organization that builds positive, accessible, and respectful connections.
She’s planned multiple social events and outings for SPARC, assists peers with their advocacy, takes time to listen and leads with compassion. Avery loves to spend time with others, seeks new community partnerships, and encourages everyone to do their best.
She strives for a more engaged community and helps others shine. Avery is a role model for making sure everyone feels included and that their input matters.
Legacy Award: Linda Kunick
Linda Kunick was a beloved community advocate and artist. Known as “The Butterfly Lady,” Linda often talked about her transformation as she learned to speak up for herself and others. Butterflies were a key theme of her artwork, representing freedom, growth, and her personal journey.
She was passionate about speaking respectfully to and about people with disabilities, and she showed others that advocacy can take many forms. Linda was a founding member of the Advocacy Leadership Network, a teaching artist at Visionaries + Voices, and served at the state level as part of the Ohio DD Council and People First of Ohio.
Linda leaves a legacy of why it’s important to share your story and teach the next generation of disability advocates.
John Romer, right, pictured with colleagues in 2019. He was the HCDDS Advocacy Director for many years. During his life and career, he lifted the voices of people with disabilities, always encouraging everyone to speak up for themselves and advocate for change. HCDDS created this award in his honor.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations for this year’s award! We received 64 eligible nominations for 44 people. HCDDS created this award to honor the legacy of John Romer, our long-time advocacy director, and his immeasurable impact on so many lives.
We’re also thankful to our judges, who included last year’s award winner, John’s colleagues from HCDDS, and his family and friends.
