Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards

JOIN US FOR THE 31st ANNUAL JIM PERRY PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP AWARDS!

Thursday, September 14, 2023 | 6 – 8PM | The Linda | WAMC’s Performing Arts Studio

Food will be provided, along with a cash bar. A virtual livestream will be provided for those unable to attend in person.

Our 2023 nominees include:

  • Ivette Alfonso, former President of Citizen Action of New York and former chair of Citizen Action’s Capital District Regional Council;
  • Tina Lieberman-Cohen, a co-founder of both Capital District Community Energy, Inc. and Zero Waste Capital District; and,
  • New York State Legislative Workers United, NYS Assembly and Senate staffers organizing for improved work conditions at the Capitol.

Jim Perry was a founding member of Citizen Action of the Capital District and a lesbian/gay rights leader both in the Capital District and statewide. His dedication to progressive politics and coalition building paved the way for the passage of Albany’s Human Rights Ordinance.

From his first involvement in politics during the 1972 presidential campaign for George McGovern, through his death of AIDS-related complications on Lesbian and Gay Pride Day in 1991, Jim relentlessly fought with passion to turn his progressive ideas into real change.

Jim was instrumental in the merging of the New York State Lesbian and Gay Lobby (of which he was Executive Director for two years) and FAIRPAC (Friends and Advocates of Individuals Rights PAC) to form the Empire State Pride Agenda. He was the president of the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club from 1985 to 1988.

Jim’s leadership role in progressive politics both in the Capital District and statewide was exemplary.

It is with the memories of his actions and words that Citizen Action of the Capital District presents the annual Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards to recipients who have demonstrated a commitment to community activism and leadership.

Jim Perry was a founding member of Citizen Action of the Capital District and a lesbian/gay rights leader both in the Capital District and statewide. His dedication to progressive politics and coalition building paved the way for the passage of Albany’s Human Rights Ordinance.

From his first involvement in politics during the 1972 presidential campaign for George McGovern, through his death of AIDS-related complications on Lesbian and Gay Pride Day in 1991, Jim relentlessly fought with passion to turn his progressive ideas into real change.

Jim was instrumental in the merging of the New York State Lesbian and Gay Lobby (of which he was Executive Director for two years) and FAIRPAC (Friends and Advocates of Individuals Rights PAC) to form the Empire State Pride Agenda. He was the president of the Eleanor Roosevelt Democratic Club from 1985 to 1988.

Jim’s leadership role in progressive politics both in the Capital District and statewide was exemplary.

It is with the memories of his actions and words that Citizen Action of the Capital District presents the annual Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards to recipients who have demonstrated a commitment to community activism and leadership.