Cathy Perry - 2011 Power of One Award Recipient

One after the other, as people who knew Cathy Perry found out she was the recipient of this year’s Power of One award, they paused and smiled, nodding their heads, and said, “yes, yes, that’s exactly right. That’s exactly who should receive it.” Cathy has that effect on people.

In 2006, Cathy moved to Bemidji, Minn. from San Francisco and immediately began to put down roots and build her new home. In working with Servant Hearts, Cathy was one of the founders of the Hospitality Initiative, a program which works to increase awareness, services and support for marginalized LGBTI2SQA youth and adults in Greater Minnesota.  Its vision and its efforts focus on creating inclusive, safe, welcoming and bias-free communities within the northern Minnesota rural region.

(c) Cathy Perry

Cathy founded the Human Connection Foundation, advocating for ESL students and their families. Since settling in Bemidji, she has done extensive community volunteer work, and event coordination for Evergreen House, Inc. and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Cathy's immense experience with cultural diversity training, working with volunteers, community organizations, leadership and being a world traveler compliments her passion in dispelling the disparities within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and queer communities. In addition to Servant Hearts, Cathy serves on the Board of Directors for Rural AIDS Action Network (RAAN).

And that’s only the beginning. Cathy is one of those people who, when she sees a need or an opportunity, immediately joins in with others to create solutions that help make their shared community stronger. Cathy has been instrumental in the formation of a GSA at Bemidji High School. She has been a speaker at a variety of educational and community programs. Among them are Bemidji State University's GLBTA group, The Phoenix. She has spoken at Evergreen Services, the Beltrami, Cass and Hubbard Counties Sexual Assault Program.Cathy has been a guest speaker at several classes at Bemidji State University addressing gender equality. Cathy hosted Esera Tuaolo when he spoke at BSU for National coming Out Day. She has participated in conversations with Bemidji Middle School, Headwaters Allliance for Suicide Prevention.  

One of the three people who nominated Cathy, Jini Lawless (a PFund scholar), had this to say about Cathy:  “Cathy is a diligent, thorough, hard-working, committed woman who's forethought and dedication have made a profound impact in this community.  Cathy has brought light, information, and hope to a town where previously there had been little talk of LGBT issues or resources for LGBT people.”

It’s not only program development that takes Cathy’s time. She is someone who shows up for the biggest and the smallest jobs. From designing brochures to printing and distributing handouts to staying late to clean, she makes sure that every level of work is taken care of.

Cathy has been the momentum behind RAP (Respect Awareness Project)-a week long community educational event which will include a seminar with presentations by a physician, mental health provider, theologian, 3 presentations by Jamie Nabozny and daily empowerment drumming activities as well as opportunities for an open mic.  With each activity, Cathy has arranged venues, co-ordinated availibility of CEU's with Bemidji State University, provided "creature comforts", handouts, arranged for breaks and meals and generally provided hospitality to all attenedees.

Says Tandy Bowman, one of her other nominators, “Cathy’s activism, love for people and passion to make a difference is changing our northern community.  Cathy is a very strong leader and motivated, challenges the norm and expresses the need to improve, grow and build unified communities.  Her leadership is beyond words and those who work with her, around her or listen when she gives presentations, know that Cathy's passion for bias-free, inclusive and welcoming communities is what needs to be present continually.  She judges no one and her heart is always ready to accept the challenge to make changes.”

This is work of love for Cathy and her partner, Tandy Bowman. Just stop by their house on a regular Saturday afternoon. There will be young people in the kitchen making posters for a social event in the coming month, neighbors stopping by to talk about the news, and others coming in and out to drop off newsletters or something they’ve just finished baking. This is Cathy’s work and why PFund is honored to award her with the 2011 Power of One Award.