Holocaust Museum Houston established the Guardian of the Human Spirit award in 1997 as a platform for acknowledging dedicated Houstonians who have worked to enhance the lives of others and to better humankind.

Mayor Annise Parker

Proceeds from our annual luncheon presentation of this award are used to continue the Museum's worldwide educational programming and its policy of free admission to the general public seven days a week so that there is never a financial barrier to anyone interested in learning the lessons of the Holocaust.

The 2010 honoree is Houston Mayor Annise Parker. She will receive the award on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at the Museum’s annual luncheon, which begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Hilton Americas-Houston, 1600 Lamar, in downtown Houston.

From Parker’s early years in Germany – where as a child she served as president of the Red Cross youth service organization, volunteered as a candy-striper at her father’s base hospital and worked in the base library – to her multiple public service activities as an adult in Houston, Parker has truly exemplified a “guardian spirit,” continually working to improve and enhance the lives of others around her.

Parker has spent 13 years in service to the people of Houston – first on the City Council and six years as city controller, where she worked with Mayor Bill White to keep Houston moving forward with sound policy, not divisive politics. Her independent audits as city controller saved millions of dollars in waste that now fund after-school programs and senior centers. She was elected Houston mayor last November and took office in January.

One of her early official acts was to issue one of the most comprehensive non-discrimination orders in the nation. The order prohibits discrimination and/or retaliation on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identity at every level of municipal government, including hiring, contracting and/or access to city facilities and programs/activities. She also has been actively involved in the fight to stop the sale of goods associated with murderers, rapists and other violent criminals, known as "murderabilia."

Parker has spent six years of service on the Museum’s own Board of Directors and served on the boards of Girls Inc. and the advisory boards of the Houston Zoo, the Montrose Counseling Center, Bering Omega Community Services and Trees for Houston. She previously served as president of Houston’s Gay Political Caucus and as president of the Neartown Civic Association.

Previous Honorees:

• Barbara and Gerald Hines
• Marc J. Shapiro
• Lester and Sue Smith
• Sandra Weiner and Martin Fein
• Naomi Warren and Fred Zeidman
• Joan and Stanford Alexander
• Ed Wulfe and H-E-B 
• Jack Blanton and The Houston Chronicle
• Linda P. Lay and Siegi Izakson
• The Rev. William A. Lawson and Julie and Ben Rogers
• Ron Stone