CANTON -- The Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton, 3½ East Main St. will recognize the contributions of two community members, Carol Pynchon and Sara Schaff, when it presents the Rachel Somers Grant Social Action Award on Sunday June 18 at 10:30 a.m.

The Rachel Somers Grant Social Action Award recognizes individuals who, through their volunteer work, “have helped to make the North Country a more humane and progressive community,”: the announcement said..

Carol Pynchon and Sara Schaff are sharing this year’s award which recognizes their energetic efforts to involve our community in activism.

Pynchon led the efforts to organize over 160 North Country residents to participate in the Women’s March on Washington, D. C. in January, introducing many young and older women to political activism.

Schaff organized an on-line group, Write the Power: NY District 21, as a way to effectively communicate North Country interests and concerns to our representatives in Albany and Washington, D. C.

North Country all are invited to join the UU congregation in celebrating the contributions of both women.

Rachel Somers Grant was a member of the UU church, a teacher, and an activist who lived in Canton from 1977 until her death in 1990. She was involved in a wide variety of community groups and believed that grassroots movements were an effective means to achieving social change. She challenged the lack of responsiveness of elected officials on issues important to her community, and she had a gift for organizing diverse groups and a talent for gaining the respect of supporters and opponents alike. She was a strong advocate for causes affecting the welfare of women, families, and the environment.