SLC.gov

Dec. 11, 2025

Salt Lake City and its Human Rights Commission joined communities across the world to honor Human Rights Day on Wednesday evening by recognizing those making a positive impact in the city.

Human Rights Day was established by the United Nations in 1950 and is observed on December 10, with 2025’s theme “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials.” 

“This year’s theme speaks directly to the times we are living through,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Many have faced fear, discrimination, and moments that challenged their sense of security. We’ve heard voices suggesting that our differences should divide us. But in Salt Lake City, we choose connection over division.”

Each year, Salt Lake City partners with its Human Rights Commission—celebrating its 20th year—to honor local emerging leaders, inspirational advocates, and community partners. After accepting public nominations earlier in 2025, the following seven individuals and local organizations received awards:

Emerging Leader for Human Rights Award

• Tiraya Bruinsma is an intern for YouthCity Government and the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science at the University of Utah. Last year, Tira was chosen by her peers to organize and facilitate the school district’s Student Unity Summit to Eradicate Hate, which focused on solutions to address hate-motivated violence and bullying in Salt Lake City schools.
• Khadija Kele is driven to serve others, from her local community to global initiatives. She works as a state youth coordinator at the Refugee Services Office, utilizing her background to connect with youth in a meaningful way. As a young woman from a refugee family, she carries forward the values of resilience, compassion and service instilled by her loved ones. Her other human rights work includes efforts as a Racial Justice Fellow for the Utah Muslim Civic League and Black Culture Fellow at the University of Utah.

Inspirational Advocate for Human Rights Award

• Ciriac Alvarez Valle is a proud immigrant and passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of families in Utah. She serves as the senior policy analyst at Voices for Utah Children, advancing healthcare and immigration policy. She currently coordinates the Utah Immigrant Advocacy Coalition to advance policy that makes Utah a welcoming place for all children.
• Marina Lowe is the policy director for Equality Utah, advocating and advancing the rights of the LGBTQ community in Utah. She cultivates relationships with elected officials to further LGBTQ equality in Utah. During her time, she successfully drafted and passed numerous bills in the Utah Legislature, including prohibition of conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth, bail and policing reform, and prison and jail conditions.

Community Partner for Human Rights Award

• The Utah Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA Utah) hosts a Citizenship Day each year with volunteer attorneys and paralegals assisting permanent residents with naturalization applications; they had 100 participants in 2025 alone. As attacks on immigrants have intensified, AILA Utah formed a habeas task force to preserve access to justice for individuals unlawfully detained by ICE. As an organization, AILA was founded on the principles of promoting justice, advocating for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, and advancing the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice. AILA Utah’s members demonstrate an unwavering commitment to defending the rights and dignity of all immigrants in Utah.
• Salt Lake City Public Library’s Social Service Team connects vulnerable residents and library patrons to resources and opportunities critical to meet their essential needs. In 2025, the Library partnered with 15 local service providers to connect 1,206 individuals with assistance from housing and behavioral health resources to hygiene items and dental care. 

City Excellence for Human Rights Award

Salt Lake City’s Fairpark Family Learning Center, part of the Division of Youth & Family, serves people with a range of technology needs, offering a computer lab and educational programming like Digital Literacy and Money Smart for Adults and Young Adults. The Division provides safe educational spaces for families to decrease the digital divide in Salt Lake City by increasing access to internet, WiFi and technical support.

“As a chapter we are proud to stand with immigrants,” the Utah Chapter of American Immigration Lawyers Association said. “Receiving this award is a profound honor that reflects not just our work, but the courage and resilience of the clients we serve. As immigration attorneys, human rights aren’t simply a framework for our practice, they are the foundation of everything we do. Every case we handle represents a person seeking safety, dignity, and the opportunity to build a life free from persecution and fear. Serving immigrants is a privilege. We hope that in receiving this award our communities, our fellow practitioners, and those we serve may find light in these dark times.”

The celebration on Wednesday was hosted by Salt Lake City’s Human Rights Commission, a nine-person commission, focused on eliminating discrimination in Salt Lake City to enhance the welfare of residents and the vitality of diverse neighborhoods and businesses. For 20 years, the commission has strengthened fairness, dignity, and inclusion in Salt Lake City. 

“For 20 years, the Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission has been guided by the principles of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights to provide advice and action in Salt Lake City,” said Commissioner Jennifer Mayer-Glenn. “We agree that ‘the inherent dignity and…the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.’”

Residents interested in serving on the commission, which holds approximately six meetings throughout the year, can apply online.

“Today, as fear and us vs. them framing threatens these fundamental rights, our work is more critical than ever,” Mayer-Glenn said. “We invite residents, businesses, and community leaders to join us in strengthening human rights in Salt Lake City and the world. Together we can ensure every person is treated with respect and dignity.”