Longtime community leader Arthur Mae Perkins will be recognized with the Common Place Love In Action Award at the 3rd annual Common Place Love in Action Award Dinner at the Pere Marquette Hotel on Tuesday, June 9.
Common Place, a social service organization whose mission is to strive to eliminate the root causes of poverty and other social injustices, first created the award in 2007 to honor a person(s) who supports the Common Place mission and has made a lasting difference in our community in the areas of justice, community organizing, neighborhood development/stabilization, education, or literacy.
A panel of judges chose Mrs. Perkins as the nominee whose service to the community exemplifies the Common Place mission. Mrs. Perkins overcame many obstacles in her own lifetime. Her personal experience along with her fierce determination has driven her as an educator and in her quest to help others. Under her leadership as principal of Harrison School , students achieved some of the highest scores of all Peoria Title I schools and even caught the attention of President George W. Bush. She has been recognized by the State Board of Education, has received numerous awards, and actively involved with the Peoria Housing Authority, the Peoria Public Library Board, Carver Center, and her church, among others.
The June 9th dinner will honor Mrs. Perkins and will also help support the Common Place literacy programs for children, adults and families. Tickets for the Common Place Love in Action Award Dinner are $40 per person.
For reservations, call Stephanie at Common Place, 674-3315. Deadline for reservations is May 26. Reception hour will start at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and program beginning at 6:30.
Mrs. Perkins sure knew how to run a school. I wish D150 would retain her as a consultant to teach others the art of successful school management.