Marcia Ferris' strong belief in human rights had its origin in her family farm upbringing and in her Christian faith. Those beliefs also played a role in her selection this week as the winner of the Crow Wing County Human Rights Award for 2011
Recalling her youth in Osakis, Ferris said concern for others was a big part of what she remembers from those days.
"There was an expectation that everyone would help one another," she said. "I grew up in a church that did a lot of service."
Ferris was credited with being one of the primary movers behind the establishment of the Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission. She said others who helped included the late Dean Wiesner, Ed Shaw, Gordon Lee and later, Carol Rose, who worked with the panel after it was established.
"I think local resources are the best," she said. "Local is better. Nothing against the (Minnesota) Department of Human Rights but it sound very intimidating to people."
Ferris' nominating letter cited her long history of volunteering and advocating for human rights. She has volunteered at the soup kitchen and worked with the Interfaith Hospitality Network that provides overnight shelter, food and family support through Brainerd area churches.
Through her volunteer work, she said she has gained insights into those who are less fortunate.
"There are people in our area that our hurting," Ferris said. "Not everyone is doing well. Some people are trying very hard and still not succeeding."
A member of Brainerd's United Church of Christ, she served on her church's state Social Justice Committee for 10 years. She also coordinates the adult forum at her church. She has invited Central Lakes College international students and others to increase people's awareness on poverty and other issues.
Ferris also serves on the Central Minnesota Council on Aging and said she is very conscious of senior and disabled issues.
The Brainerd area's growing minority population has increased her belief in the need for inclusivity. She pointed to the Brainerd School District's recent controversy regarding the school calendar and whether a day off should be labeled as Good Friday or just as a day off.
"We're not all white Christians here in this community," she said.
Ferris' preference for inclusivity ranges from handicapped ramps to having both male and female members on a committee.
"The more voices on the discussion, the better," she said.
She said there are links to between her belief in human rights and her political activism. Ferris is chair of the Crow Wing County DFL. Her term ends this April.
Similarly her job as a senior corps manager for Lutheran Social Service complements her interests.
"I'm very fortunate that my career dovetails with my passions," she said.
She even has a personal mission statement that ties in with her tendency to introduce people she knows to one another. "My mission is to serve as a connector to enable good things to happen in the world around me."
The official presentation of the county's Human Rights Award is expected to be made in March.
MIKE O'ROURKE may be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.
Comments (57)
Add commentWhat kind of Christian thinks
What kind of Christian thinks that "prolife" only applies to fetuses. johngalt maybe?
Clearly johngalt has never
Clearly johngalt has never met Marcia Ferris, otherwise he would have never made such an asinine comment.
Congratulations, Marcia.
Congratulations, Marcia.
Well deserved.
Marcia is a selfless individual who respects people even when they hold opposing views.
This shenanigans by some on here of isolating people because they hold different views rather than respecting them as fellow citizens in a civil and discourse-oriented society is the mentality that led to the Tuscon situation. Some folks need to grow up.
Raymond, That had nothing to
Raymond,
That had nothing to do with what happened in AZ.
Too much Olberman and MadCow on your part, I must say.
John Galt
What were the views of your mummy (Ayn Rand) on a woman's choice?
A little confused, aren't you?
Morning Chey! How's the
Morning Chey! How's the weather up there?
I dunno
Too damm cold to check.
Congratulations
Congratulations Marcia:
Quite the debate for an award article, thought those were not supposed to be controversial. I give credit to those with different views than me who help their community.
Those of you taking pot shots at Marcia, calm down, they have meds that can help you.
Congratulations, Marcia
Marcia is among a great cloud of witnesses, who, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, work tirelessly to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit those who are sick and in prison, and expect nothing in return. She is a blessing to others, the salt of the earth, a light on a stand. Bless you, Marcia.
Congratulations
You are a wonderful example for all of us. Thank you for your tireless efforts.
Congratulations!
What an inspiration! God bless!!
Oh Johnny, honey...
When you give a rat's patoot about people who can't access appropriate medical help because they can't afford health insurance (that would include children in poverty; poor, young women; folks who've lost their jobs, etc.) then feel free to come back and use all of your manly privilege to criticize others. Pro-life indeed. I believe Jesus had quite a bit to say about the poor.
You care? Lol...
Galty, it's not hard to figure out where you stand on helping others, and our responsibility to our brothers and sisters. You're quite vocal about it.
But, it's nice that you get to judge everybody else. What a cool calling in life. I think there's even a verse about judging others. Do you need that exact chapter and verse?
Seriously, if men could get pregnant, abortion would be sacrosanct.
Judge on, oh righteous one!
Your compassion and
Your compassion and dedication serve as an example for us all, Marcia. THANKS!
Congratulations!
Marcia Ferris has been a strong, positive inspiration to me since I was little. To see someone give so much back to their community and to humankind in general is truly a gift well beyond our adolescent society. She deserves such an award and the respect that accompanies it. The Brainerd area is lucky to have such an intelligent, compassionate, and loyal citizen.
Congratulations Marcia!
As a former Human Rights Commission member and a member of the team who created this award, it is noted the award is made irrespective of race, creed, age, gender, sexual preference and religious affiliation, as judged by those who are charged with implementing the criteria of selection, and is based solely on accomplishments. Marcia fits this criteria - with immense regard - and is an example, as are previous recipients, by which we all should follow.
In my personal conversation with and knowledge of the recipient, I witness her deep and profound concern for the rights of the unborn.
It is, for better or worse, the consequence of the immediacy of our electronic response, to defend, when defense brings nothing more than more anonymous offense.
God bless our friends and those who are not yet our friends.
Thank you Brainerd, for
Thank you Brainerd, for exceeding my expectations and choosing somebody worth choosing for a human rights award. So many people in so many parts of this great country can't seem to delve outside of their own heads to see what it may be like to be, say, homeless, addicted to heroin, pregnant with no money and no resources and no health care, abused as a child, even something menial like being ruthlessly picked on at school. People are people, we all try to make the choices we think are best, and sometimes we need help. And thank God there are people willing to be that help.
johngalt the stalker
Who else are you stalking johngalt? Do you keep files on people to use against them in the future?
You seem to be fixated on Marcia. That's unhealthy for you. There's help for that you know.
Christlike Compassion
Dear Marcia:
Thank you so much for your true dedication and calling to live in Christ's path. You are a deep inspiration! I admire the way that you really feel called to true action and not just words, nor have you excluded any cause. The work you do for justice is among the people that Christ would be hanging out with -- despite the rejections of the Pharisees (of His time and ours)! You have a true sense of our common humanity, and that we are all equal before God, and all must be loved equally in that respect. We are here to work for one another and, in the words of both the bible and St. Augustine, to leave "the sorting of wheat and tares" to God. Amen, sister! Keep up the good work! You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Bravo, Marcia !
Bravo, Marcia !
Let Us Keep The Most Important Thing in Mind
My friends, my friends, I hate to see everyone getting so flustered. When I read what ya'll had to write, I said to myself, "there must be sumpthing we can all agree on?".
I thing there is. I know that the democrat party with disagree because it's agenda and it's mission and it's goals are to take away our second and third amendment rights. However, let us agree on one think with this dr. tiller and the feller who shot him, yes, he committed the crime, but imagine how much worse it would have been if he HADN'T been able to buy that gun? The feller was able to buy a nice little smith and wesson piece at a pawn shop, take it home with him, and a 9 mm handgun job to protect his family and to exercise his constutational obligement. And then there were other sportsmen who were able to help him buy the high-velocity bullets which are much more efficient and more constitutional that the lower velocity bullets which a true sportsman would never use.
We are lucky to live in a country where it is still easy to do that (unless the libs have poisioned it, as in the democrat states in the north east). imagine how much pain and suffereing and damage would have been done without the second amendment rights to do that.
we keep telling the libs, guns dont kill people, people do. The doctor tiller paid a price, but he did so defending our rights. sometimes in a war we call that the so-called "colateral damage" and it is sad to see but we are in a battle for are constitutional.
Dont retreat, as sarah palein says, reload!
Mebbe we can all find common ground here.
DNTMG
Congratulations, Marcia
Our community is very fortunate to have such an involved and active person as Marcia Ferris. Many thanks to the local Human Rights Commission -- Excellent choice for the award.
The person researching her choice position must have missed her editorial in 2007 about her personal life --
http://brainerddispatch.com/stories/012007/opi_20070120030.shtml
Choice is a very complicated issue, especially for women. Why do men even feel they have a right to express an opinion on this issue? The decision of what a women can or cannot do with her own body is best left to the women and her doctor and her spiritual advisor. Let's get the government out of women's personal lives. Let's not have men dictate what happens to a women and her body.
Thank you for your service to the Community!
Congratulations to a remarkable person! Those of us who are your neighbors, friends and co-workers are lucky to know you. You are a true inspiration to so many. Thank you for standing up for human rights. You definitely deserved such an honor.