Start the new year by helping the Petra Foundation identify individuals who are making distinctive contributions to the rights and dignity of others in America by submitting a nomination and by reaching out to friends and colleagues who may know such unsung leaders.

Today Petra Fellows, now 83 in number, are working in 29 states, often at risk, always at sacrifice and without the safety net of personal privilege or institutional support. Through their leadership they are enabling their constituents to change the policies that constrict their lives and they are forging alliances throughout the country to replicate their successes.

The foundation grants fellows a modest financial award, publicizes their innovative models and sustains its commitment to them, welcoming fellows to a national network of activists and advocates who are working across the lines of age, ethnicity, class and issue to build the base of civic participation for lasting change.

Please note that nominations should be submitted without the knowledge of the nominee, by those who know the nominees and their work.

The awards guidelines and short nomination questionnaire can be easily downloaded at

http://www.petrafoundation.org/nominate.html

This year’s deadline is February 15, 2010.