Nominations are now being accepted for the 7th Annual Alix Olson Award for the Promotion of a Tolerant and Just Community.

The Alix Olson Award was created by STAJOH (Seeking Tolerance and Justice Over Hate) to honor retired Madison Police detective Alix Olson, who led our anti-hate crime group for many years. The award seeks to recognize an individual of any age or group who has worked to promote tolerance and justice in the Madison and/or Dane County community, through leadership, education or other initiatives that have a positive impact by increasing tolerance toward all and eliminating hate.

Last year’s winner was Laura Minero, a Ph.D. student in counseling psychology at UW Madison and a Dreamer and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipient who has emerged as a leading and persuasive voice in the struggle for just and humane immigration reform, as a member of, and on behalf of, the undocumented community.

The award ceremony for the Alix Olson Award is held every year in conjunction with the YWCA’s Racial Justice Summit at Monona Terrace.

STAJOH is an anti-hate crime group composed of representatives of government agencies from the City of Madison, Dane County, Madison Metropolitan School District, State of Wisconsin, and University of Wisconsin-Madison as well as other community-based agencies throughout Dane County.

Community members are encouraged to nominate a person of any age in Dane County or South Central Wisconsin who has worked to eliminate hate and promote tolerance and justice, through actions big or small, meeting the criteria here. Deadline is Aug. 31.