Caras Park, Downtown Missoula August 2006 An event to promote racial harmony through music and raise awareness of the challenges of racism in Montana. Organized with food vendors, 22 bands and many speakers from organizations throughout the state, funds were raised to support the YWCA%26apos;s Racial Justice Social Marketing Program. The promoter and organizer of this event, our very own Megan Baumann, received recognition through the Salute to Excellence program. Below is an excerpt from the Missolian newspaper article. From the Missoulian, June 1, 2007 %26quot;Recipients of Salute to Excellence awards are women worth celebrating.%26quot; %26quot;If you were among those fortunate enough to be in attendance at the Missoula YWCA%26apos;s Salute to Excellence awards dinner last week, you%26apos;re probably still shaking your head in wonder at the incredible lineup of women who were recognized for their many and varied accomplishments. In its 19th year, the YWCA%26apos;s annual fete is intended to empower women and eliminate racism in our community by telling the stories of women who have, more often than not, succeeded in spite of adversity. If the banquet itself is any indication, the program is a resounding success: The seven women who received awards last week are powerhouses one and all: smart, funny, determined, devoted to family, an integral part of our community. The YWCA is part of that success. By saluting “women who move the stars” all these years, the Y has inspired countless other stories. By lifting up women, one by one, day by day, the Y itself plays a starring role in some of those stories. This year%26apos;s honorees were: - Megan Baumann, a “rising star” who was bit by the “volunteer bug” two years ago, when she joined International Student Volunteers and traveled to the Dominican Republic to build homes and teach English. Last summer, Megan and a friend teamed up to increase awareness of racism in Missoula by organizing an all-day concert, Rock Against Racism. She%26apos;s a recent University of Montana graduate with a degree in psychology and a minor in human and family development.%26quot;....
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