The Columbus Free Press celebrated our 55th anniversary last Saturday, November 8 and honored five community activists, plus one outstanding community organization.

The event was the November Salon and Annual Awards ceremony at the First Unitarian Universalist Church. Dan Dougan served as master of ceremonies.

The honored outstanding community activists for 2025 were:
Bob Krasen, Healthcare for all Ohioans
Lezlie Combs - longtime community activist
Paul Becker - activist photographer
Julialynne Walker - Bronzeville Growers Market
Jawhara Qutiefan - Palestinian activist

The outstanding community organization for 2025 was:
Heer to Serve - Mutual Aid organization

The Free Press “Libby” Award for community activism is named for the former Free Press editor from the 70s and 80s, Libby Gregory – an entrepreneur, feminist, writer – who was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1991.

Approximately 70 people attended the event. Some attendees brought donations for Heer to Serve to distribute later that day.