The Paula Kent Award for Social Justice
Paula Kent retired in 2018 and was Calumet’s longest serving staff member. Her parents were among the decision-makers back in 1959 when the Lutheran church bought Calumet for use as the church camp for the New England Synod. She and her siblings served on the staff in Camp Calumet Lutheran's earliest days, as did her spouse, her son, her nieces & nephews, and now her grand-nieces and grand nephews are campers and counselors, too.
During her year-round staff tenure, Paula was a longtime advocate for justice, diversity, and sustainability. This was the inspiration behind Calumet’s decision to create "The Paula Kent Award for Social Justice." The intent: to honor Paula's long-time service to Calumet by recognizing the service of another. Each year, the award recipient will receive a one-time gift from an endowment fund created for this purpose. It can be used however the recipent chooses to use it.
It is a wonderful thing that Calumet Nation can come together now and again to celebrate a person from among Calumet Nation who has impactfully made special efforts in the area(s) of justice, diversity, and/or sustainability.
Nominees are lifted up by the Calumet community to a task force with the responsibility of stewarding this effort. The task force meets and discerns, and then makes a recommendation to Calumet's Board of Directors. The recipient receives the award at an appropriate time when Calumet Nation can celebrate together.
To learn more about the nomination process, contact Knute.
Boom Chicka Boom!
2022
The awardee for the 2022 Paula Kent Award for Social Justice is Calumet alum Pastor Steph Smith.
Steph is the pastor at Cathedral in the Night, Northampton, MA, and was chosen from among a group of nominees earlier this year.
A Zoom Celebration is being scheduled for October and will include a variety of special guests. Upon learning of this year's awardee, Paula shared: "I very much admire her and her ministry." During the October event, Calumet Nation will be reminded of the ELCA's long-time commitment to Social Justice. To request the Zoom Link for the event, click the button below.
2021
The 2021 Paula Kent Award for Social Justice was granted to Calumet alum Chris Wu during a Zoom event.
Chris was a Peace Corps volunteer and was a highly respested summer staffer during his time on staff. It was a joy that Chris could be with us for the online event. Among the many who attended were his proud parents!
Special guests at the event were Paula Kent, alum Michelle Weagle who shared aspects about her life of service as a public school teacher, and alum Pr Jessica Lambert who offered a reflection about the ELCA's long-time commitment to Social Justice.
