On November 7th, National PSR hosted the Visionary Leaders Awards Reception and Symposium in Washington, DC. The awards recognize individuals and organizations for their exemplary efforts in advancing nuclear weapons abolition and addressing environmental risks to human health, including the catastrophic consequences caused by climate change, through collaborations that strengthen PSR’s mission.
Among this year’s honorees were Kelly Campbell, Executive Director of Oregon PSR, and Regna Merritt, our recently retired Healthy Climate Program Director. Kelly was also a panelist at an afternoon symposium of Women Leaders on Nuclear Disarmament and Climate Disruption.
Kelly Campbell has served as the Executive Director of the Oregon PSR chapter for the past ten years. Regna Merritt recently retired after seven years as our Healthy Climate Program Director and now serves on our Advisory Board. Kelly and Regna were “recognized for their outstanding coalition work, community engagement, and grassroots organizing to advance nuclear weapons abolition and address environmental hazards to health, including the climate crisis.” The awards committee appreciated their “efforts to incorporate environmental justice and equity as a model for the entire PSR network.”
“It’s an honor to receive this award on behalf of all the members of Oregon PSR,” said Kelly Campbell, Executive Director of Oregon PSR. “To me, visionary leadership means promoting bold platforms like the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and the Green New Deal. Visionary work must be firmly rooted in justice and connected to broader social justice movements to be effective. It’s exciting to be recognized nationally for the innovative work our chapter has been leading.”
“I’ve been so grateful to work with Oregon PSR volunteers and effective coalitions to produce evidence-based recommendations to policy makers and critical information to community members about health impacts of toxic pollutants,” said Regna Merritt, who for seven years directed the Healthy Climate Program at Oregon PSR. “Together we have supported environmental justice through multiple agency denials of proposed fossil fuel projects and supported the successful Portland Clean Energy Fund.“
"I'm delighted that we are honoring Kelly Campbell and Regna Merritt at PSR's Visionary Leaders Awards this year," said Jeff Carter, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility. "As representatives of our Oregon PSR chapter and in their movement work, Campbell and Merritt embody the essence of visionary leaders by making the connection between health and social justice issues an integral part of their work with coalitions, partner organizations, and individuals."
Read more about the Visionary Leaders Awards.
Read the full interview with Regna Merritt.
Read the full interview Kelly Campbell.
Pictured above: Regna Merritt & Kelly Campbell (center) with National PSR’s Martin Fleck & Barb Gottlieb at November’s Visionary Leaders Award ceremony.