The Columbus City Council announced two new Human Rights Commission appointments Tuesday.
Deanne Annandale and Kenna Huber were appointed by the city council to a term of three years, terms expiring on March 31, 2027.
Annandale is the program director at McDowell Education Center. She has a bachelor
of arts and LLB in Law from the University of Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. She
and her family relocated to Columbus two years ago.
Before moving to the U.S., she was a litigation attorney. She has used her 20+ years of experience to assist individuals in finding educational pathways to a better future with equitable opportunities. She is empathetic to individuals who have relocated to the U.S. and understands firsthand some of the challenges and barriers. She has successfully implemented organizational change, focusing on a diverse, accessible, and inclusive culture.
Huber holds a bachelor of science from the University of Evansville. She is a quality
assurance specialist for Ossium Health in Indianapolis. She understands the importance of
collaborating and creating safe spaces for open dialogue. She has embraced the teachings of the Dalai Lama: ‘Greet everyone as a friend, and they will be.’ This viewpoint allows her to interact with others in a respectful and comfortable space. She is passionate about bringing awareness and education on human/civil rights issues and seeking ways to provide positive experiences to everyone. Huber is interested in aligning her personal and professional experiences to help further the mission of the commission.
The Columbus Human Rights Commission has been serving the community since 1962. The
mission of the commission is to lead Columbus in building and maintaining an inclusive community by enforcing the Human Rights Ordinance, educating the public, challenging attitudes and systems that create barriers to equality (equity), and empowering community members to advance the mission. Under City Council President Frank Miller and Mayor Ferdon’s leadership, the commission will be at full capacity this year.
The City of Columbus Municipal Code states that the City Council shall appoint persons residing in Bartholomew County to serve on the Human Rights Commission for three (3) year, renewable terms, “serving without compensation and broadly representative of the community’s diversity.”
For over 30 years, the council has chosen an open application process for the Human Rights Commission. Any community member who wishes to serve on the Commission may submit a completed application. Applications are then reviewed by the council member serving as a liaison to the Human Rights Commission. The current City Council liaison is Miller.
