The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce has named Jillian Lyman the recipient of the 2020 Peace Medal.
Lyman, 19-years-old at the time, organized the Owen Sound Black Lives Matter Solidarity March in June following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.
The YMCA Peace Medal is awarded annually to an individual or group who demonstrates a commitment to the values of participation, empathy, advocacy, community and empowerment through contributions made within their local, national or global community.
Hundreds of people joined the peaceful march organized by Lyman in June, setting off from city hall in downtown Owen Sound to the Black History Cairn at Harrison Park.
Following a moment of silence where participants kneeled at the cairn, Lyman spoke to the crowd and urged the community to continue the work to fight racism and inequity.
Lyman is a graduate of Owen Sound District Secondary School and currently a student at Wilfrid Laurier University.
“As a local university student, Jillian showed incredible poise and determination in organizing, marching and speaking for her cause,” says Lisa McAllister in a statement, Lyman’s friend and nominator. “Her work highlights not only anti-racism in the black community, but also acknowledges other people of colour, including Indigenous and Asian residents and the growing number of immigrants in the region.”
McAllister says Lyman organized volunteers and guest speakers to talk about the difficulties that do exist for black people in Owen Sound and around the world.
“She wanted to make a difference in rural Ontario, where so many think turmoil and race relations are non-existent,” McAllister continues. “The magnitude of such an event in Owen Sound was profound for all involved.”