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Created: March 27 2018

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (March 27, 2018) - Diversity Honors presented by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, has announced its 2018 honorees. The April 27th gala benefitting Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park will recognize Dolores Huerta, president and founder of the Dolores Huerta Foundation and co-founder of the United Farm Workers of America with Cesar Chavez, with the Harvey Milk Foundation Honors Medal award presented by Stuart Milk, nephew of the late civil rights icon, Harvey Milk (1930-1978). Craig Stevens, WSVN-TV anchor, David Richardson, Florida State Representative serving District 113 and current primary candidate for Congress in Florida's 27th District and the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Gay-Straight Alliance will also be recognized as local leaders who have made a significant impact on improving the quality of life for the LGBTQ community.

Emceed by WSVN’s Lynn Martinez, the globally renowned celebration serves as a kick-off to Harvey Milk Day events around the world and spotlights those who are transforming lives by living authentically and advancing inclusiveness.

“It is significant for South Florida to be in our fourth year with one of the most amazing awards events in our nation, partnered with and at an amazing sponsor and venue, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino," said Stuart Milk, executive chair of the Harvey Milk Foundation.  "What sets this event apart is that the men, women and youth that we honor, and those who receive a Milk medal, have had such incredible impact on the lives of so many people -- not for fame or glory - but to inspire us all."

Dolores Huerta is an iconic Latina women's rights leader, labor leader, activist and community organizer who has worked for civil rights and social justice for over 50 years. In 1962, she and Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers of America. In 2002, she received the Puffin/Nation prize for Creative Citizenship which she used to establish the Dolores Huerta Foundation. DHF connects community-based organizing to state and national movements to register and educate voters; advocate for education reform; bring about infrastructure improvements in low-income communities; advocate for greater equality for the LGBT community; and create strong leadership development.

Dolores Clara Fernandez was born on April 10, 1930 in Dawson, a mining town in the mountains of New Mexico. Her father Juan Fernández, a farm worker and miner by trade, was a labor activist who ran for political office and won a seat in the New Mexico legislature in 1938. Her mother, Alicia Chavez was an independent business woman. She owned and ran a 70-room motel. 

Huerta is a two-time U.S. Presidential Award Recipient; she received the Medal of Freedom Award from President Obama in 2012, the highest civilian award in the United States, and the Eleanor D. Roosevelt Human Rights Award from President Clinton in 1998. She has received many other awards including Mexico’s Order of the Aztec Eagle Award (the highest decoration awarded by the Mexican Government to foreign nationals), the James Smithson Award from the Smithsonian Institution, the Icons of the American Civil Rights Movement Award, bestowed to her in 2011 by the National Civil Rights Museum. Huerta is a U. S. Department of Labor Hall of Honor inductee and she was the first Latina inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. She is a University of California Regent and has earned honorary doctorates from universities throughout the United States. 

March 27 marks the PBS prime time premiere of “DOLORES,” a critically acclaimed documentary about the life and work of Huerta produced by Carlos Santana and directed by Peter Bratt. The program also features interviews with Gloria Steinem, Luis Valdez, Angela Davis and more. The intimate and inspiring portrait of a passionate champion of the oppressed and the indomitable woman willing to accept the personal sacrifices involved in committing one’s life to social change will continue to stream and air throughout the month of April on local PBS stations.

“Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is committed to diversity and inclusiveness as part of a global brand philosophy,” said Susan Renneisen, vice president of community affairs and special events for Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. “We are proud to present this internationally recognized event which spotlights amazing people doing amazing things to advance human rights.” 

The magical evening will commence with an elegant cocktail reception featuring live entertainment and an interactive balloon pop and raffle of more than 200 luxury items. Dinner will be a feast for the senses with creative cuisine at pop-up food stations plus an open bar. A memorable awards presentation will be followed by a decadent Stoli After-party with desserts, live entertainment, dancing and flowing spirits, also to be held at the Hard Rock Event Center.

This collaborative effort between The Harvey Milk Foundation and The Pride Center at Equality Park, along with generous support from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, has put South Florida on the international stage of LGBTQ rights and activism in honor of Harvey Milk, one of the first openly gay elected officials in the United States who was assassinated shortly after winning a seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Harvey Milk’s historic service.

“For 25 years, The Pride Center at Equality Park has been synonymous with helping to improve the quality of life for the LGBT community,” said Robert Boo, CEO of The Pride Center. “As a safe haven and advocate for those who need us, we are proud of this event that spotlights those who work beside and with us to make the world a better place to live for all.”

Over the past three years, Diversity Honors has paid tribute to an impressive roster of honorees including civil rights activists Judy and Dennis Shepard, recipients of the Harvey Milk Foundation Honors Medal; Bollywood star Celina Jaitly and Ireland Senator Dr. David Norris who both received the Harvey Milk Foundation’s Lilla Watson Global Champion Medal; eight-year-old transgender YouTube viral inspiration Ryland Whittington, transgender teen activist Jazz Jennings – both recipients of the annual Harvey Milk Foundation Milan Rozsa Award plus Peter Clark, singer/actress Deborah Cox, Judge Rand Hoch, Robert Runcie, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, newly elected Mayor and past Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Dean Trantalis and the CEO of Stoli Group USA Patrick Piana.

Sponsors of Diversity Honors 2018 include Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, DMK – Danne Montague-King, Stoli Vodka, Levi’s®, Norwegian, Macy’s, Miami Foundation, Stegelmann Family, GPR | Goodman Public Relations, Hotspots! magazine, WSVN, Ludwig Framemakers, Fast Printz and Lightship Media.

Tickets are $200 per person, plus a service fee, for the black-tie optional event. To reserve tickets or for more information, please visit www.DiversityHonors.com.