On Monday, December 5, the Free Press and DSCO will honor local community activists at our 2016 Awards event from 7-9pm at The Hub, 1336 E. Main St. One of the two "Libby" awardees is Carolyn Harding. Join the Facebook event here.

Carolyn Harding is a grassroots activist committed to protecting our water, air, and soil for the sake of all life on this planet. Locally, she is an organizer with RadioactiveWasteAlert.org and the Columbus Community Bill of Rights (ColumbusBillofRights.org). Statewide, she works in alliance with other committed activists and organizations focused on clean water, air, soil, and community rights. She is familiar with the intransigent, corporate culture at Columbus City Council, the Ohio State House, the Governor’s administration, and national political parties, and is now certain that it is up to us to make the shift to sustainable energy and agriculture. She is committed to social, racial, economic and environmental justice, as they are all linked and must be given top priority as we work for Pure Water, Clean Air & Safe Soil.

The "Libby" award is named for former Free Press Editor Libby Gregory, feminist, activist, and local entrepreneur -- starting the first vegetarian restaurant in Columbus, the King Avenue Coffee House; Tradewinds (one-time home of the Free Press); and Byzantium, the premier bead store. We honor her memory by giving one or more Libby awards each year to honor our present heroes, promote alternative paths and to give birth to a better world.

All are welcome at the Awards event, we ask for $10 at the door or $5 for low income, but no one will be turned away. We will have light refreshments, music and the awards ceremony.

The HUB Community Development Corporation is a non-profit Workforce and Economic development enterprise, housed in a 15,000 sq. foot facility, whose primary responsibility is to link individuals and small businesses with viable educational, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.