Human Rights Hall of Fame

About the Hall of Fame

In March 2001, the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights inducted the first 20 honorees into the Human Rights Hall of Fame. Since March 2002, the induction ceremony is held biennially. The inductees are honored for having made great personal sacrifices and contributions to human and civil rights in Montgomery County, either as trailblazers of the past or as current foot soldiers in the struggle.

2014 Inductee Recipients
On Sunday, October 12, 2014, the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) hosed its eigth biennial Human Rights Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony to honor individuals who have made great personal sacrifices in contributing to human and civil rights in Montgomery County, either as trailblazers of the past or as current light bearers in the struggle. The Human Rights Hall of Fame mission is to recognize visionary leadership, outstanding achievement, and altruism on the road to eliminating discrimination, diminishing the effects of discrimination, and advancing human rights.
Eight residents were inducted into the Human Rights Hall of Fame by the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights (OHR) at a 3 p.m. program and reception on Sunday, October 12.  The event was held at the BlackRock Center for the Arts, 12901 Town Commons Drive in Germantown.
The honorees were recognized for their visionary leadership, outstanding achievements and altruism on the road to eliminating discrimination and advancing human rights. 
 
The following individuals were inducted at the 2014 ceremony:
Dr. Dana Beyer (Chevy Chase) – has always been involved in social change and service to others. Prior to her retirement as an Eye Surgeon she served the needs of those living in poverty providing critical eye care treatment from the Himalayas to rural southern Mississippi.  In Montgomery County she provided medical care to the uninsured and homeless as part of her commitment as board member of Mobile Medical Care. She assisted in the creation of the Family Justice Center in Rockville which provides comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence. Dr. Beyer has been a transgender and civil rights activist. Her former role as Senior Aide to former County Councilmember Duchy Trachtenberg assisted in adding Gender Identity to the County’s Civil Rights law.  Currently, she is Executive Director of Gender Rights Maryland concerned with issues of fairness on the basis of gender identity and transgender equality. Dr. Beyer has been a member of a number of committees and organizations throughout Montgomery County and currently serves as the national chair of the Board of Advisors of Freedom to Work dedicated to equality in employment for the lesbian, gay and transgender community.

Russell C. Campbell, Sr. (Burtonsville) – has been a member of the Montgomery County Human Rights Commission for 12 years and is currently the Chairman. In this capacity he has provided leadership in various efforts to protect the Human Rights of Montgomery County citizens. Mr. Campbell has served on the Montgomery County/Prince Georges County’s Unified Gang Task Force; he was a member of the Montgomery County Public School Advisory Board for curriculums 2003-2005; he is a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). He is currently a member of the Montgomery County Community Liaison Team for the Department of Police. Mr. Campbell has worked diligently bringing various communities together to make Montgomery County a better place for all to live.

Charles Kauffman (Bethesda) – is dedicated to ensuring the rights and conditions of the Senior and Aging Community. Mr. Kauffman was an early advocate for Beacon Hill Village and Aging in Place Communities. He partnershipped with the founders of Beacon Hill introducing and promoting the “village” concept to tri-state and local government officials. This created local interest and helped accelerate the creation of many new regional communities which today offer older adults the independence of living at home. In 2011, Mr. Kauffman collaborated with private organizations to ascertain funding to print and distribute Montgomery County’s “Aging in Place Blueprint”. He organized and implemented neighborhoods, commonly called “villages”, aiding seniors from all backgrounds, races and cultures to remain in their own homes and neighborhoods.

The Reverend Mansfield M. Kaseman (Germantown) – has been engaged in ecumenical and interfaith ministries aimed at creating the beloved community. The model he implemented for Theological Education in the Urban Setting was adopted by Boston University and Weston Divinity Schools. Reverend Kaseman revitalized the Rockville United Church, incorporated Community Ministries of Rockville, and engaged political, civic, religious and business sectors in meeting common interests. Reverend Kaseman served as Adjunct Faculty at Wesley Theological Seminary; served as Treasurer of the National Community Ministry Network and served as the President of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation.

The Reverend Ruby Reese Moone (Rockville) – is known as a traditional Civil Rights Activist. She is much sought after and continues to speak on civil and human rights issues frequently speaking at churches, conventions, colleges, universities, youth groups, government programs, and other private, public, and social gatherings nationally. Reverend Moone was the first female chair of the Montgomery County, Maryland Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Committee; the Maryland State President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC); and a member of the Montgomery County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Reverend Moone was a guidance counselor at Poolesville High School for forty years. During this time, she authored and presented a proposal to Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) to open a “Career Center”. The proposal included hiring staff for the center. The staff’s responsibility was to teach minority and other students valuable work skills and strategies they would encounter as they entered the work world. Upon her retirement from MCPS, the Ruby Reese Moone Foundation was established. The foundation helped many under privileged college students with book expenses.

James C. Offord (Silver Spring) – is an advocate for fair and affordable housing, fights for civil rights, and is active in political/civic organizations, which positively impacts the social, and economic issues of diverse groups of Montgomery County residents.  Mr. Offord had a distinguished career assisting the federal governments Small Business Administration (SBA) minority program.  After retirement, he continues to work diligently and is a major force in all sectors of his community improving human relations.

­­George B. Thomas, Sr., Ph.D. (Rockville) – a professional educator, has had a distinguished career spanning over fifty years.  Dr. Thomas actively served on numerous civic, community and professional organizations serving on several boards, committees, and task forces. Currently he is President and Chairman of The George B. Thomas, Sr. Learning Academy, Inc., a non-profit community-based organization - a tutoring and mentoring program that he founded in 1986.  The Learning Academy’s signature program, Saturday School is a strategic partner of Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland and is designed to enhance and accelerate academic achievement of students in the basic skills and core academic subjects.  The organization won wide acclaim for its work in the community by helping students achieve their full academic potential.  Saturday School progam has grown from a one-room program with 21 students and 19 volunteer tutors to 12 sites (approximately 3,600 students enrolled) serving 1st grade through 12th grade. Students attending the Saturday School program represent over 175 elementary, middle, and high schools in Montgomery County. 
 
Selection Criteria
The selection criteria for Hall of Fame members, living or deceased, is exemplary leadership,  lifetime or current high impact achievements and lasting impact on Montgomery County's human rights movement. Hall of Fame inductees, nominated by the community and recommended by a panel of community judges, may not include any current staff member of the Montgomery County Office of Human Rights.  
Inductee and Nominee Info

• 2001 Inductees
• 2001 Nominees
• 2002 Inductees
• 2002 Nominees
• 2004 Inductees
• 2004 Nominees
• 2006 Inductees
• 2008 Inductees
• 2010 Inductees
• 2013 Inductees