Citing her leadership for the Preschool for All and her support of early childhood initiatives in the Legislature, the Children's Institute has awarded Commissioner Jessica Vega Pederson the 2021 Alexander Award.
The Alexander Award is given in the name of Dick Alexander, a former Marine and founder Viking Industries, who became one of Oregon’s leading advocates for children. He died in 2012.
The Children’s Institute bestows the Alexander Award annually to “recognize the communities, providers, educators, policymakers and advocates who are both moving mountains and building bridges to ensure all children have a strong start in life and the needed supports to thrive in school and adulthood.”
“Jessica is very worthy of this award, for her passion for early childhood, her organization efforts with the County around the Preschool for All initiative and just thee overall leadership she has shown throughout her career,’’ said Ken Thrasher, a former Fred Meyer CEO and Alexander Award recipient.
Commissioner Vega Pederson accepted the award during a virtual event on Oct. 12 saying: “When I think of Preschool for All, I don’t think it’s something that one person can be honored for, because so many people fought for so long for years to change the future for Multnomah County children. When I think of all the people, all the parents, all the organizations that came together to fight for it, it makes me so proud.”
Watch a video of the full award presentation here: