LOS ANGELES – Lancaster resident Veronica Fields is known to many as the young leader who organized the “Hoodie March for Solidarity Against Stereotypes” in 2012 and the “Community Prayer and Call to Action” in 2013. For these and other efforts, the League of Women Voters Antelope Valley selected Fields as a finalist for the coveted Jeannette Rankin Award this past fall.
Now Fields, 27, has garnered accolades from outside the Antelope Valley community.
At a ceremony in the San Fernando Valley earlier this month, Fields received the 2013 Truman Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.
The Truman Awards, which are hosted by the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, honors outstanding Democrats and are dedicated to the memory of President Harry S. Truman.
“Our awardees embody Truman’s legacy with their principled activism, courage under fire, and personal integrity. Like President Truman, they walk hand in hand with the Democratic grassroots,” states literature introducing the honorees.
Fields was one of 24 honorees at the Dec. 7 ceremony, and the only recipient from the Antelope Valley.
She was honored for outstanding service to her community and for her commitment to the Democratic Club of the High Desert.
In reflecting on the honor, Fields stated, “It motivates me to strive harder to make a positive difference whenever and wherever I can. I thank the Democratic Club of the High Desert for believing in my commitment to the community and deeming my service worthy of recognition. I look forward to continuing to be a positive influence in the community by spreading awareness and also encouraging others to always stand up for what it righteous.”
In addition to the Outstanding Volunteer of the Year award, Fields received eight other awards and commendations at the Truman Awards ceremony. She was awarded Certificates of Recognition from State Senator Alex Padilla, 20th District; California State Assembly Speaker John A. Perez; State Assembly-member Raul Bocanegra, 39th Assembly District; State Assembly-member Adrin Nazarian, 46th Assembly District; and Assembly-member Steve Fox, 36th Assembly District. Fields also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Brad Sherman, 30th District and from Congressman Adam B. Schiff, 28th District. And finally, Fields was awarded by council members from the city of Los Angeles for her “exceptional leadership, commitment to Democratic ideals and serving the Antelope Valley community.”
“I would like to thank Congressmen Sherman and Schiff, Assembly-members Bocanegra, Fox and Nazarian, the City of Los Angeles, Senator Padilla and Speaker of the Assembly Mr. John Pérez for taking the time to recognize the commitment I, as well as the other Truman Awardees have made to our communities and the State of California,” Fields said. “Also, I would like to give a special thanks to Ms. Agi Kessler and the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley for putting this wonderful event together.”
Fields graduated from Antelope Valley College in 2011, earning degrees in Administration of Justice and Social/ Behavioral Sciences. She is now a senior at California State University, Bakersfield majoring in Criminal Justice and minoring in Public Administration.
Fields is an advocate for youth in the Antelope Valley, as well as a civil rights and equal rights activist.
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