Congratulations to Mary Fairhurst & Shelly Willis, recipients of the 2021 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award.

Two outstanding individuals have been chosen to be recognized with the 2021 Evan Ferber Peacemaker Leadership Award.  Named in honor of Evan Ferber, the DRC's founding executive director, this annual award recognizes those who have provided extraordinary leadership in promoting peace, and strengthening civil discourse and civic harmony.  Normally a feature of the DRC's annual spring fundraiser, The Toast, this year the awards were presented at the DRC's Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on August 18th.

Mary Fairhurst served as Chief Justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, retiring in 2019 after 16 years on the Court.  A graduate of Gonzaga Law School, she served in the Washington State Attorney General's office before joining the Court.

Throughout her career, Mary has focused on access to justice and protecting the rights of individuals impacted by our justice system, including domestic violence survivors and individuals accused of crimes. She has worked to enhance opportunities for women and minorities in the legal profession and to ensure access to justice for low-income individuals and families.  

Mary has devoted her life to education, understanding that, through education, we can build the public's trust, confidence and engagement in our justice system.

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Shelly Willis has served for more than 20 years as Executive Director of Family Education and Support Services (FESS), whose mission focuses on providing and promoting stability and resilience in families.

​Some of the greatest challenges and disputes in our society happen within families. Among the FESS programs that Shelly has helped develop - and is a key resource for families served by the DRC - is Consider the Children, which focuses on strategies to help children whose parents who are going through a separation or divorce.

Mother Teresa once said, "What can you do to promote peace in the world? Go home and love your family."  Shelly's life's work has been an embodiment of that sentiment.

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​Mary and Shelly are highlighted in a special feature story in Thurston Talk.  Read the article.

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