“Erica Lopez is one of these women who really amazes me with how much she does on a small budget and the number of people that she has been able to impact and support and save from eviction … and the many other resources that she finds for her families,” says Verónica Figueroa, a board member of the Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors. “She really deserves this award.”
Attorney and advocate Erica Lopez was recently honored with the Community Sunshine Award from the Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors, a nonprofit organization that recognizes and supports acts of kindness in the Madison community.
Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors was started to honor the memory and legacy of Lesli Ann Jordán Vázquez, who touched many lives in Madison and beyond with her kindness and generosity and her tireless community involvement. Tragically, on July 20, 2020, the 23-year-old died in a car accident in Puerto Rico. Her family and friends soon established — through the Madison Community Foundation — the Lesli Ann Kindness Fund to honor individuals and businesses who, like Lesli Ann, “make a difference in the lives of others through acts of kindness that typically go unnoticed and unrecognized by the larger community.”
The organization regularly recognizes elementary, middle, and high school students who display great kindness to others. They also present the Lesli Ann Jordan-Vazquez Memorial Kindness Scholar Awards to outstanding and kind college students and Community Sunshine Awards to local individuals and businesses who are constantly supporting the community.
“We have awards that go to various businesses and individuals, teachers, and students,” Figueroa explains. “The whole purpose is to honor Lesli who was a very kind human that we loved dearly and we miss her a lot. So when she passed away in the way that she passed away, we were here to support her mom and came together as a group to create the Lesli Ann Kindness Foundation. The whole purpose of this is to acknowledge people that go unseen.
“We usually have dinner with the awardee or sometimes we surprise them at the school or at their home. We’re keeping Lesli Ann’s memory alive and keeping her close to our heart by giving these recognitions in our community to people who do really good work and put their heart and soul into the things that they do.”
Since its formation, the Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors have awarded three college scholarships, eight kindness recognitions to elementary, middle and high school students in Madison, Verona, and Marshall, and seven Community Sunshine Awards … with one more to go.
Figueroa, who is the executive director of Developing Artists, Murals and Alliances (DAMA), says that she nominated Lopez for this recognition because of the kindness she demonstrates in her work as a community attorney and advocate.
“Erica’s legal representation in eviction defense, landlord/tenant law, and fearless advocacy for our immigrant population who face evictions and housing discrimination took her to launch her nonprofit law firm, The People’s Law Center, in September to welcome undocumented individuals needing housing-related legal defense,” Figueroa says. “Erica has demonstrated compassion, empathy, and kindness through her work.
“Erica also makes time to serve on DAMA’s board, supporting DAMA’s efforts of empowering young people to thrive,” Figueroa adds. “We are incredibly grateful to have her as a mentor to our young students, a community partner, and a board member at DAMA.”
Figueroa adds that Community Sunshine Award winners give back, even when things are hard, and they believe in extending their hand to help others achieve their life goals. “This award is given in memory of Lesli Ann Jordán-Vázquez, who left a little sparkle everywhere she went,” she says. “Kindness, compassion, and acceptance of others were at the core of everything she did. We continue to purposely seek out and recognize kindness in her name.”
Carrie Bohman was the first recipient of the Teaching with Kindness Award and knew Lesli Ann when she was her student at Madison West High School.
“Carrie Bohman serves on the MMSD Title VI American Indian Education Committee as the faculty representative and liaison and has served since 2015. She practices what she believes in, ensuring that her students are being represented culturally in the classroom so they can see themselves fully as members of the learning community,” Figueroa says. “She gives her time and effort to supporting her students, in and out of the classroom, and does so with genuine kindness and caring. Carrie always goes out of her way to make sure her students have what they need to be successful and actively advocates on their behalf in her school and in the school district.
Bohman has served as co-advisor of the West High School Native American Student Association, and during that time, students implemented a policy that banned student attire that included Indian mascots and logos. Students produced video documentaries documenting both of these efforts and issues. She also supported students in the planning of the Ho-Chunk Land Acknowledgement, which culminated in a successful ceremony and unveiling of the Land Acknowledgement Plaque at West High School this year.
“I was so moved to receive this award,” Bohman tells Madison365. “I knew Lesli Ann when she was a student at West. She was just a delight to have in class. She just always had a smile on her face and was always willing to help people. She was just lovely. It just broke my heart when I found out [that Lesli Ann had passed.]
“I think it’s so important to keep her memory alive. When I found out I was getting an award in her name, to be honest with you, I just wept,” she adds. “I want people to know who she was, what that award stands for, and that it means a lot.”
Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors is housed under the Madison Community Foundation.
“So our hope is that as these funds grow, that we’re able to give scholarships to students that want to continue their education,” Figueroa says. “Right now, we do support students … they get a little bit of funds for educational purposes or for whatever they need. It is a very small amount right now because we just started, but our hope is to have a fund that will provide funding for students for books for housing or whatever they need a little bit of support with.”
To donate to the Kind Lesli Ann Ambassadors, click here.
