Earlier this month, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver presented the 2024 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award to two youth leaders from New Mexico. The award ceremony took place in Santa Fe.
The recipients of the 2024 award are Lila Quezada and Thanh Nguyen. "I am thrilled to congratulate Lila Quezada and Thanh Nguyen for their extraordinary commitment to making a difference in their communities," said Secretary Toulouse Oliver. "Their leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing equality and civic engagement embody the values of the late Congressman John Lewis, who was and is a deep personal inspiration to me. These young leaders are not just shaping the future—they are inspiring us all to create a more just and inclusive world today."
Established in 2021 by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) under Secretary Toulouse Oliver's leadership, the John Lewis Youth Leadership Award recognizes young people with exceptional leadership skills who are passionate about social justice and improving community life.
Lila Quezada was nominated by Girls Inc. of Santa Fe. She has been active in various initiatives, including organizing candidate forums, advocating for affirmative consent education legislation, participating in social justice activities through the Women of Color Collective at her school, and serving on multiple councils and advisory boards.
Thanh Nguyen was nominated by the New Mexico Asian Family Center (NMAFC). Her work includes leading discussions on sexual assault awareness, domestic violence prevention, voter registration advocacy, mental health issues, anti-Asian hate initiatives, and reproductive justice. She collaborates with organizations like Planned Parenthood and is committed to supporting marginalized communities.
Both recipients will be honored alongside other state awardees at an awards ceremony during the 2025 NASS Winter Conference in Washington D.C.
The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award honors Congressman John Lewis' legacy as a civil rights leader and public servant. His contributions include being one of the original Freedom Riders in 1961, speaking at the March on Washington in 1963 as one of its organizers, participating in key marches such as Selma to Montgomery in 1965, and serving as a U.S. Congressman for over three decades until his passing in 2020.
