Community leader and Human Rights Commissioner, Emily G. Gottfried, championed and organized the first Portland Human Rights Awards luncheon in 2013. Sadly, we lost her soon afterward. In 2014, the awards were renamed in Emily's honor.

The awards honor community human rights champions who work to eliminate discrimination and bigotry; strengthen inter-group relationships; and foster greater understanding, inclusion, and justice for those who live, work, study, worship, travel and play in the city of Portland. The categories are: Lifetime Achievement, Emerging Leader, and Outstanding Organization.