Recent Recipients of the Helen Fluker
Open and Accessible Government Award
2023 Dennis "Boog" Highberger
Open and accessible government has been the hallmark of Rep. Highberger’s service since he began representing the 46th district in the Kansas Legislature in 2015.
Highberger has been a champion of voting rights and free and open elections for all citizens. He was cosponsor of Kansas 2022 HB2002 to enact the national popular vote interstate compact for electing the president of the United States, and has voted in the KS House to block numerous voter suppression bills.
He has also championed accessible government in another way. He has not let his mobility challenges keep him from exemplary service in city and state government. He is an example of determination and hard work to all who work with him and benefit from his service in the Kansas legislature.
2022 Cille King
For over a decade, Cille King has worked with the League of Women Voters to keep her fellow Kansans – including members of the State Legislature – informed on legislative issues. As two-time Co-President of the Kansas League, she served as the organization’s spokesperson, presenting official League positions to the public and Legislative bodies. She continues in an advocacy role, focusing on such key issues as redistricting. She also helped organize and train the League’s Legislative Observers, who follow Legislative Committees and topics, and report on key issues to the League membership. She has energetically promoted voter registration.
Nominator Teresa Briggs noted, “Cille has helped elevate the League’s nonpartisan efforts to protect voter rights with her boundless knowledge, vast experience, energy and enthusiasm.”
2021 Molly M. Wood
Molly Wood, JD, is an attorney with Stephens & Brand of Lawrence, and Board President of Kansas Advocates for Better Care. She is recognized for her many years of work on behalf of Kansas’ elder community and other vulnerable adults, both as an attorney specializing in elder law and as a volunteer.
Molly’s work has enabled thousands of Kansans to know their rights with regard to KanCare / Medicaid and other healthcare and support services. Through newspaper editorials, articles, legislative testimony, telephone helplines and other outreach, she continues to work to ensure that the State fulfils its obligations under the law.
2020 Davis Hammet
Davis Hammet is the former Director of Operations for the international progressive nonprofit, Planting Peace, where he worked to maintain and expand programs around the world ranging from medical relief to human rights and bullying prevention. He co-created the rainbow-colored Equality House across from the Westboro Baptist Church hate group, and lived there for 5 years. His work and commentary have been covered in The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, and other major outlets.
After several years of successfully organizing to win election victories from the local to national level, Davis founded Loud Light to advance youth civic participation and mobilize underrepresented communities in Kansas.
2019 Sonja Czarnecki
2019 award recipient Sonja Czarnecki is the Dean of Students and a history teacher at Bishop Seabury Academy in Lawrence. Sonja was nominated by her student, Hilary Bowersock Griggs, highlighting Sonja’s passion for making government accessible to her students. She has invited political candidates to speak at school assemblies and meet with students, and has used her voice, both in and outside of school, to encourage citizen participation in government. Sonja is member of the Lawrence Douglas County League of Women Voters and actively involved in registering voters. Hilary’s brother, Lyle Griggs introduced Sonja at the luncheon.