Fil-Canadian is named Calgary ‘Citizen of the Year’

Calgary named Marichu Antonio, executive director of Action Dignity, “Citizen of the Year.” CITY OF CALGARY

Filipino Canadian activist Marichu Antonio was honored with Calgary’s Citizen of the Year Award for her work as a champion of equity and inclusion for the city’s culturally diverse communities.

Antonio has been the executive director for 12 years of Action Dignity, a community-based organization that supports Calgary’s ethnic communities and facilitates collective action.

“My vision for Calgary is a city that values and appreciates and respects everyone equally, regardless of the color of their skin, the language they speak, their gender identity or their economic status,” Antonio said in an announcement video from the city.

During the pandemic, Action Dignity led by Antonio provided emergency support to Calgarians, including essential workers at the Cargill and JBS meat-packing plants, which grappled with massive Covid-19 outbreaks.

“I am most proud of leading the formation of the multicultural, multilingual emergency response to Covid-19 — a hotline that serves racialized communities in 24 different languages and listens to their problems,” Antonio said.

The Calgary Awards is an annual event that recognizes a number of exceptional individuals, corporations, community groups and organizations for their contributions to improving the city.