Governor Janet Mills is one of three women receiving the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award this year.
The organization is recognizing Mills for her administration’s lawsuit against the federal government, which ended with a settlement to restore $3 million in school nutrition funding.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture had frozen the funding over Maine’s policy allowing transgender athletes in school sports.
The organization says the award honors “champions of social justice” who defend human rights in nonviolent ways.
“I am honored to receive this recognition named for former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, a heroic champion for civil rights and the rule of law that governs our nation and inspires the world,” Mills said in a statement. “As a member of the generation of Americans who were inspired by the career of Robert F. Kennedy, I am truly humbled and grateful for this award, which recognizes how his remarkable legacy should inspire all of us today.”
Mills will be recognized during a public ceremony on June 5 in Washington D.C.
She’s receiving the award along with former DOJ Pardon Attorney Elizabeth Oyer, and immigration reform activist Jeanette Vizguerra.
