Linda Evans Lifetime Achievement Award

Community Builder, Volunteer Guide, and Advocate for Refugees

Linda Abramson Evans describes her community impact as, "Volunteering for local resettlement and human rights service agencies, it is a privilege to meet refugees who bring their skills and resilience to rebuild their lives after surviving unimaginable loss.  I believe it is they who create positive impact in our community and country when given the chance, and I'm proud to welcome them as my neighbors." 

Among diverse interests in 35 years of community service, Linda has devoted many years to refugee advocacy.  In 1998 she founded the Committee on Refugees and Volunteer Guide to Refugee Service Agencies in Dallas/Fort Worth,* a project she maintains within the United Nations Association Dallas Chapter. 

*North Texas organizations providing refugee resettlement and human rights assistance include:

International Rescue Committee Dallas
Refugee Services of Texas Dallas
Refugee Services of Texas Fort Worth
Catholic Charities of Dallas Refugee Services
 Catholic Charities of Fort Worth Immigration and Refugee Services
World Relief Fort Worth
Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
Center for Survivors of Torture
Mosaic Family Services

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Her wider community involvement includes serving on the Thanks-Giving Square Interfaith Council as a representative of Congregation Beth El Binah and assistant to Faith Forward Dallas, and participating in organizations including Peacemakers Inc, Texas Business Women, TexTESOL, AAUW Dallas, NCJW Greater Dallas, and Daughters of Abraham. 

Both she and her husband, Gary, are advocates for organ donation (state and national registries Donate Life Texas and Donate Life America) in gratitude for the liver transplant that saved his life – and together they perform with Resounding Harmony, a philanthropy chorus whose concerts benefit local charities.  

In her professional life, Linda teaches advanced courses for international graduate students in ESL at Southern Methodist University, is a Faculty Mentor to Engaged Learning and other students pursuing ESL and human rights careers, and conducts several voluntary projects in service to the SMU community. 

We are so pleased to honor Linda Abramson Evans with the 2016 Peace Legacy - Lifetime Achievement Award for her community engagement with these organizations to help build a more peaceful world, and a welcoming place for refugees resettling to North Texas.

We invite you to join us and help us celebrate our community peacemakers and justice seekers on December 1st!