2003 Crossed

2003 Recipient - Carol & Richard Crossed

Richard and Carol accepting the LHHL Human Life Award,

September 2003

Return to 2003 Award Dinner

This dynamic husband and wife team have dedicated their lives to helping others, most especially the unborn. Carol has been active in advocating for unborn children and an inspiration to so many like minded individuals for over 20 years.

She is president of Democrats for Life of America (2003) and in June 2002 received the first Democrats for Life of America Award in Washington DC as did U.S. Representative James Oberstar.

Carol was featured in the 2003 issue of American Feminist as one of America's 10 Most Remarkable Pro-Life Women. Carol was among 4 recipients of the first ever Annual Vita Award from the Catholic Diocese of Rochester in 1996. In 2000, Carol was awarded the prestigious Gaudete Medal from St. Bonaventure University.

Carol is president of the Charles and Mary Crossed Foundation. Dick is the financial contributor and advisor to the foundation, which has donated hundred of thousands of dollars to various pro-life causes since its inception in 1998. Carol was president of Brighton Residents Against Violence to Children (BRAVE). From 1992-1999, Carol served as Executive Director of Common Ground for Life, formerly known as the Seamless Garment Network. Carol was instrumental in filing the case NOW vs. Pro-Life Action, which overwhelmingly passed the U.S.Supreme Court 8 to 1 (December, 2002), saying pro-lifers may peacefully protest and not be charges under RICO laws.

Dick is a successful businessman and developer. He is currently president of Conifer Reality. He was Vice-President of Home Properties of New York (1995-2000) and still serves on its Board of Directors. In 1996, he refused to renew a lease of an abortion doctor who was a tenant of Home Properties. This was a bold move for a public company but the board agreed and this began a a series of legal battles for this abortion provider. In 1966, he completed construction of Sojourner House in Rochester, a home for battered women and did not accept any profit for the enterprise. Dick serves on the Board of St. Joseph's Villa, a home for troubled youth.

Because of two people receiving the award and their notoriety, the event's initially announced location, i.e. Ridgemont Country Club, had to be changed to the larger capacity facility at the Clarion Riverside. Approximately 350 people, each paying $30. attended with co-sponsors remaining the same. Another innovation for this Banquet was to recognize with a stipend an organization doing pro-life work particularly valued by the honoree(s). A check for $500 was given to Feminists for Life of Western NY, a group, designated as 501 - c - 3, founded in NY by Carol Crossed. The Program for this event included a video featuring the activities of both Crosseds, described by co-workers; several gave personal testimony during the program.