CANTON – Each year, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton recognizes individuals who are making a difference in our community with an award established in memory of Rachel Somers Grant.

At this time, the U.U. Social Action Committee is seeking nominations for the 2012 award.

Rachel Somers Grant was a teacher and activist who lived in Canton from 1977 until her death in 1990.

She was involved in a variety of community groups, including the La Leche League, Friends of Choice, the Preschool Playgroup, the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Church, Work on Waste (an anti-incinerator, pro-recycling group), and a support group for women with cancer. In most of these she took a leadership role.

Rachel believed grassroots movements were an effective means of achieving change. She challenged the lack of responsiveness of elected officials on issues important to her community, and she was a strong advocate for causes affecting the welfare of women, families, and the environment. She had a gift for organizing diverse groups and a talent for gaining the respect of supporters and opponents alike.

The Rachel Somers Grant Social Action Award honors people who work, as Rachel did, to make ours a more humane and progressive community. Recent recipients of the award have included Carol Neubert, an educator and advocate for gay and lesbian rights, Phil Harnden, founder of Garden Share, and the UU church’s ministers emeritus Anne Marsh and Wade Wheelock.

Nominations for the 2012 Rachel Somers Grant Award may be submitted to the Social Action Committee, Unitarian Universalist Church, 3½ East Main Street, Canton, NY 13617, or office@uucantonny.org, Attn: SAC Award Nominations. Nominations should be received no later than Friday, March 30.

To learn more visit the church website at www.uucantonny.org.