Michelle Ness and Cathy Waldhauser are the 2025 recipients of the Bill Hobbs Human Rights Award.
Michelle Ness, executive director PRISM, leads efforts to support housing, food assistance, and social services to Golden Valley community members and beyond. “Her ability to create partnerships across schools, community organizations such as the Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, and more, help foster an interconnected civic responsibility and pride like no other,” says Equity and Inclusion Manager Seth Kaempfer.
Cathy Waldhauser has long been involved in community work including housing efforts, supporting civic engagement, championing and building out the Golden Valley Garden Club’s Dakota Medicine Garden, and helping reinvigorate the Golden Valley Arts & Music Festival. “All of this work speaks to a devotion and passion to create a lively, welcoming, and engaged community for all,” says Seth Kaempfer.
The Bill Hobbs Human Rights Award is given annually to community members who work to create a fair and equitable environment.
Nominations for the Bill Hobbs Human Rights Award are open January through November. If you know someone in Golden Valley promoting fairness and equity, consider nominating them for next year’s award on the City website.