Each year, the city of Albany honors a resident with the Henry Johnson Award for Distinguished Community Service. This year's recipient, Amy Jones, is an activist and organizer fighting for racial equality.
Jones was nominated by seven people for the award. Previously incarcerated herself, she was among those fighting for criminal justice and bail reform.
What You Need To Know
- Amy Jones was awarded the Henry Johnson Award for Distinguished Community Service
- Jones is a local activist and organizer who has fought for criminal justice reform, racial equality, and domestic violence services
- The award is presented each year to an Albany resident who has had a positive impact on the community
"We stormed the capitol while it's in session,” Jones said. “We were there constantly fighting for bail reform, fighting to fully fund our schools.”
Jones says she believes if you "give people the things that they need," such as services and programs, the community will be better off and violence will decrease.
Jones has used her voice to demand criminal justice reform and funding for education.
— Jaclyn Cangro (@JaclynCangro) September 10, 2020
She’s also helped raise thousands for people who need legal aid and food.
“All I believe is that we need to give people the things that they need.” pic.twitter.com/qIozQ6GWU5
The award is named after Henry Johnson, who also fought for racial equality. Johnson joined the U.S. Army in 1917, but fought for France because of racial segregation. He was awarded top French honors after single-handedly fighting off a German raid, but wasn't honored by the U.S. until 1996.
Jones hopes the award will help her continue to do the work she's been fighting for.
"Maybe it will give me a little social capital to be able to organize more money and organize more people power," says Jones. "I'm hoping that's what the award will do, that it will move the movement."
Jones has also advocated for those impacted by sexual abuse and domestic violence.