According to a press release from Montgomery County Executive, Marc Elrich, “The Human Rights Hall of Fame honors 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 honorees were recognized for their visionary leadership, outstanding achievements and altruism on the road to eliminating discrimination and advancing human rights.”

“The newest inductees epitomize why the County’s Human Rights Hall of Fame was created,” said County Executive Elrich. “Many people contribute in so many ways to make Montgomery County a great place. Daryl Davis, Rev. Dr. Philip Davis Sr., Dr. Jeremiah Floyd, Janice Freeman, Willie Pearl Mackey King and Chuck Short are people who have dedicated their lives to doing just that, while also carving out paths that make our County more equitable and more fair.”

The event also included performances from area students in the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) and the Halley Shoenberg Trio.    

An excerpt from the press release includes the following profile of Lourdes alumnus, Chuck Short ’65.

Charles L. (Chuck) Short: Few people know the Montgomery County Government, and are more a part of its evolvement, than Chuck Short. He has 50 years of experience leading and administering local government, private nonprofit and faith-based programs. His career has included 13 years of experience as senior advisor to two Montgomery County Executives; 20 years as an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy; and 25 years as director of large direct service agencies. Currently, he is the senior advisor to the Montgomery County Superintendent of Schools and serves as a senior fellow to the Montgomery County Council. Each job he has held has put him in a better position to help people in his next position. From 1983-2002, he was the director of the County’s health and human service agency. He then became the secretary for justice and service for the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. As secretary, he oversaw the Archdiocese’s social concerns efforts that included nonprofit direct service agencies, parish-based programs, local, State and national legislative and policy advocacy, community organizations and policy and program development. In 2019, Mr. Short founded Effective Kindness, LLC, which provides pro-bono technical and management advice to individuals and nonprofit organizations. He is the founding chair of the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children Youth and Families and was chair of the board of directors of, St Ann’s Infant and Maternity Center. He has been presented with an endless list of awards for his service and dedication, among them the Community Advocate of the Year for Passion for Learning, Inc.; the Michele Heidenberger Volunteer Award from St Ann’s Center for Children and Families; the S. Robert Cohen Award from the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes; the Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement; and the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award from The Maryland Association of Non-Public Special Education Facilities. Chuck is a graduate of Georgetown University and The Catholic University of America.

More information on the Office of Human Rights is available on its website.