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The Echo Foundation will present Charlotte civic leaders Mary Lou and Jim Babb with the 2012 Award Against Indifference during a Sept. 3 ceremony coinciding with the kickoff of the Democratic National Convention.
The award, now in its 15th year, honors Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents who exemplify the organization’s dedication to “promoting human dignity, justice and moral courage through positive, effective action for humankind.”
Foundation officials said the ceremony will laud the Babbs for contributions to educational, cultural and charitable institutions in the community.
Mary Lou Babb is a former chair of the Mint Museum board of trustees and briefly served as the museum’s interim director. She also co-founded The Woman’s Impact Fund in 2003, a philanthropic group that has contributed more than $2 million in grants to local programs promoting the arts, environment, education, health and human services.
Jim Babb’s community contributions include chairing the first capital campaign of the alumni division of UNC Charlotte. He is past president and CEO of Jefferson-Pilot Communications and Outlet Communications and is currently executive vice president and chief operating officer of Bahakel Communications Ltd.
“Their compassion for others and dedication to improving the quality of life in Charlotte set the bar high,” said Stephanie Ansaldo, president of The Echo Foundation. “They’ve had a huge impact on the community.”
The Echo Foundation was created in 1997 to carry on the message Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel brought to Charlotte that year: A call to action for human dignity, justice and moral courage.
Past award recipients include Hugh McColl Jr., Sandra and Leon Levine and former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt. The award ceremony is part of the foundation’s 2012 election-year series, “We the People. The Voices and Vision of Democracy.”
