Two New Westminster residents and advocates have been honoured with the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Eyob Naizghi and Sussanne Skidmore were announced Tuesday, Aug. 27, as the B.C. Premier's recipients of the inaugural award recognizing their "significant contributions" to the community, region and country.
Both were recommended by their local MLAs, and are among 551 individuals from B.C. and 30,000 across Canada to receive the hardware.
Naizghi was honoured for his decades of "leadership representing refugees and new Canadians" while serving as executive director of the MOSAIC immigrant and refugee services society.
Naizghi stepped down from the role in June 2018, when a $5,000 scholarship was created in his name.
Skidmore was awarded "for being an exemplary labour rights leader and a strong champion for queer rights."
She was named the president of the B.C. Federation of Labour (BCFED) in 2022, and even led the campaign for workers to get 10 days paid leave for people leaving sexual and domestic violence.
The medal was awarded at HMCS Discovery in Vancouver.
It was created to commemorate the king’s rise to the throne on May 6, 2023, following the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, and is accolade is administered by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General.
“This distinguished honour recognizes your dedication, unwavering commitment and the profound impact you have made on your communities and our province," said B.C. Premier David Eby in a news release.
"It is a testament to the respect and admiration you have earned.”
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