Jen Muzia Awarded Service Medal

Councilmember Barón hands Jen the Martin Luther King Jr., Medal of Distinguished Service award.

Please join us in recognizing our Executive Director Jen Muzia for receiving the King County Martin Luther King Jr., Medal of Distinguished Service!

Jen was nominated for this award by King County Councilmember Jorge Barón, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to our community. In his nomination, he noted her exemplary community service addressing food insecurity, creating compassionate community spaces, advocating on behalf of workers, and building deep partnerships to help build a more thriving region for all.

The MLK Medal of Distinguished Service is a way for the county councilmembers to recognize people who are working to improve the lives of people across the county. Each year, each of the nine councilmembers names one person in their district whose work impacts people in a positive way.

Click here to see the full list of awardees.

Jen Accepts the Award

Jen celebrates with board of directors members Hsiao-Ching Chou, Carrie Schneider, Matt Carr; staff member Colleen Martinson; Equity Matters team CiKeithia Pugh and Heidi (Schillinger) Sohn

Thank you, Councilmember Barón, for honoring me with the Martin Luther King service award.

When I think about the word service I think about community. Our neighbors. My journey to this work is grounded in a strong belief that everyone is deserving of hope. Of a life filled with opportunity.

And that calls for us to not only believe that food, housing, education, and well-being are basic human rights.

It calls for us to act and advocate for programs and policies that ensure all have access regardless of their race, gender identity, who they love, and where they live. It calls for us to work together to dismantle systems of oppression that lead to poverty and instead create systems of connection, well-being where everyone belongs, can thrive and fulfill their dreams.

In accepting this award I’m accepting it on behalf of the incredible community I’m a part of. I’m lucky to lead a wonderful team that shares our values and works every day to ensure folks can access food and critical services.

I’m grateful for our board past and present that believes in this too and is willing to be bold in our actions. I’m grateful for our community - volunteers, supporters, and guests. They all share a generous and courageous spirit to give and receive.

I’m grateful for the partners that work across silos to build a healthy community - Seattle Food Committee and member food banks, the Meals Partnership Coalition, and the Seattle Human Services Coalition. I’m grateful for our partners and friends at Equity Matters who have supported our organization’s journey towards building a community that values and centers equity and belonging.

Finally, I’m most grateful to my family - Dave, Beckett, and Finn - for your belief in me, your support, and willingness to share me through Covid and beyond.

Over the past few months many of us have quoted Martin Luther King when he said the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. I’m grateful to be a part of an organization that is ready to be courageous, bold, and strengthen our commitment and action to centering our values of equity and justice so that our community thrives and dreams big.