The Divine Award is given annually to a person whose commitment to diversity, equality and religious freedom has impacted the community in positive and lasting ways. The award simultaneously recognizes the accomplishments of its recipient and honors the legacy of Amy Divine, the founder of Citizens Project, who dedicated her energy to championing traditional American values of equal rights, individual freedoms, separation of church and state, civic engagement and respect for diversity.

This year, our annual Divine Award will be held Tuesday, February 11th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Stargazers Theater

This year, we have two honorees: June Waller and Judy Noyes!

June Waller, 2014 Divine Award recipient:

Most people know of June C. Waller as an essential part of our Colorado Springs community.  Her involvement and commitment to the vitality of the community is unparalleled. June, a long-time resident of Colorado Springs is the proud mother of three daughters, six grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

June received her Bachelor’s degree in business from UCCS and acquired additional education at the University of Northern Colorado in the field of communications. She is an alumnus of Leadership Pikes Peak and has attended the Center for Creative Leadership twice in two different decades.

June’s career has centered on management of affordable housing within Housing Authorities and private-owned housing for over 35 years.  Now a retiree, her responsibilities included strategic planning, personnel training, staff and residents counseling on sustainable quality of  life improvements, research and composed presentations to community groups both military and non-military on housing environments.

June’s expertise has been recognized in her appointment by Governor Lamm to the Nominating Commission for the selection of District and County judges.  The first female to sit on the District Court came during her tenure.  Currently she sits on the Citizen’s Transportation Advisory Board (CTAB) as an appointee by City Council to represent the new City Council District #4.  Additionally, her knowledge is requested and welcomed amongst all types of local community groups.

June’s current community involvement includes participation in League of Women Voters, Administration Team; Colorado Prince Hall Foundation, Vice-Chair.  She sits as a member of; District 11 Foundation, Savvy Seniors, NAACP Executive Committee, Citizens Transportation Advisory Board, Black/Hispanic Coalition, and the Police Chief Citizen’s Advisory Board.  As of September she created at the Hillside Community Center and the Savvy Senior’s office a service to the community, Southside Community Resource Services as a means to distribute community information to seniors and families.

Judy Noyes, 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient:

Judy Noyes, born in Connecticut in 1931, moved to Colorado Springs with her family in 1959 to open the Chinook Bookshop. Judy’s contribution to the community expanded far beyond this beloved bookstore, however.

Judy graduated from Vassar College in 1953, and with her academic and journalism training was well poised to make an impact in Colorado Springs. In addition to running the bookstore with her husband, Dick, from 1959-2004, Judy believed in and contributed to the vitality of Colorado Springs and the downtown community in many ways. She was an avid supporter of the arts and intellectual life as well as a supporter of gay rights and civic freedoms.

In 1992, Judy co-chaired the committee that produced the Downtown Action Plan, in 2000 she began her service on the Colorado Springs City Council for three years, was also a member of the city’s Urban Renewal Authority, and also served on the Charter Review Commission. Additionally, Judy served with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Pikes Peak Library District Foundation, Fine Arts Center, Downtown Partnership and Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region.