The University of Maine School of Law presented the 2019 Courage is Contagious Award to Lucky Hollander during the eighth annual Justice For Women Lecture on March 27. The award is presented annually at the Justice For Women Lecture to an outstanding woman leader who demonstrates a commitment to the mission of the Justice For Women Lecture Series which is to raise awareness in Maine about the injustices women and girls face globally and locally.
Ms. Hollander has worked in Human Services for over 45 years, focusing on child and family outreach services and child advocacy. In 2013, she developed a project called Hopeful Links, which focuses on making sure unaccompanied minors from war-torn countries (mostly Central Africa) have meaningful adults in their lives, safe housing, legal assistance, emotional and medical care, and the support they need to be successful. She was inspired to create Hopeful Links after meeting an unaccompanied minor who needed a place to live, and learning there were many other children in Portland who have been sent here alone for their safety. Ms. Hollander has done extensive training and community organizing locally and nationally on issues of child abuse and prevention, domestic violence, and the use of focus groups to develop programs and community initiatives. She holds a B.A. in Social Work and an M.S. in Counseling and Psychology.
While accepting the award, Ms. Hollander stressed how everyone can “be courageous,” and how important it is to take action and “do something.”
“One of things we can all do is not remain silent,” said Hollander. “We are at a critical time in our country. Speak up and speak loudly!”
Ms. Hollander is the fourth recipient of the Courage is Contagious Award. Past recipients of the Courage is Contagious Award are:
- 2016: Catherine Lee, Lee International
- 2017: Janine L. Roberts, Westbrook Chief of Police
- 2018: Dr. Joyce Taylor Gibson, former Dean of the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College
