Public Health Heroes Awards Ceremony

Located in the heart of San Francisco's gritty Tenderloin district, one of the nation's most culturally diverse and socially active churches is thriving. While the church, which opened in 1931, and its foundation were founded by Methodist philanthropist Lizzie Glide as a memorial to her husband, California cattle baron H. L. Glide, it is the Reverend Cecil Williams — community leader, activist and Glide’s minister for over 35 years — who has been the driving force behind this singularly unique institution.

Every Sunday, the church overflows with people of all races, classes, religions, cultures, ages, and ethnic backgrounds to worship side by side at Glide's lively services, filled with hand-clapping, gospel singing and jazz music.

At this refuge for the downtrodden, Rev. Williams puts religion into practice, 365 days a year. The most comprehensive nonprofit provider of health and social services in San Francisco, his church offers a network of more than 40 programs, including the city's only food program to offer three meals a day, year round; an outpatient substance abuse treatment and recovery program that won national recognition as a model of innovation; a free health clinic that partners with San Francisco hospitals to provide health screening, counseling, referrals and patient education services to indigent people; and a 52-unit housing project for the homeless, single mothers with children, recovering addicts, AIDS patients, and other needy people.

Award Presenter

The Reverend Williams is being introduced by Janice Mirikitani, a recognized poet, choreographer, administrator and community activist, who has since 1982 served as president of the Glide Foundation and executive director of programs for Glide Church Urban Center. A recipient of more than 25 awards and honors, including the prestigious American Book Awards "Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature," Ms. Mirikitani is married to Rev. Williams.

	1999 Organizational Hero Glide Memorial United Methodist Church of San Francisco, represented by the Reverend Cecil Willliams	Other 1999 Heroes International Carol Bellamy, J.D. National Mark A. Rothstein Regional L. Martin Griffin, M.D., M.P.H.
1999 Organizational Hero - Glide Memorial United Methodist Church of San Francisco Located in the heart of San Francisco's gritty Tenderloin district, one of the nation's most culturally diverse and socially active churches is thriving. While the church, which opened in 1931, and its foundation were founded by Methodist philanthropist Lizzie Glide as a memorial to her husband, California cattle baron H. L. Glide, it is the Reverend Cecil Williams — community leader, activist and Glide’s minister for over 35 years — who has been the driving force behind this singularly unique institution. Every Sunday, the church overflows with people of all races, classes, religions, cultures, ages, and ethnic backgrounds to worship side by side at Glide's lively services, filled with hand-clapping, gospel singing and jazz music. At this refuge for the downtrodden, Rev. Williams puts religion into practice, 365 days a year. The most comprehensive nonprofit provider of health and social services in San Francisco, his church offers a network of more than 40 programs, including the city's only food program to offer three meals a day, year round; an outpatient substance abuse treatment and recovery program that won national recognition as a model of innovation; a free health clinic that partners with San Francisco hospitals to provide health screening, counseling, referrals and patient education services to indigent people; and a 52-unit housing project for the homeless, single mothers with children, recovering addicts, AIDS patients, and other needy people. Award Presenter The Reverend Williams is being introduced by Janice Mirikitani, a recognized poet, choreographer, administrator and community activist, who has since 1982 served as president of the Glide Foundation and executive director of programs for Glide Church Urban Center. A recipient of more than 25 awards and honors, including the prestigious American Book Awards "Lifetime Achievement Award for Literature," Ms. Mirikitani is married to Rev. Williams.