Mayor Henry presents Charles Redd with first "Key to the Fort"

New award recognizes individual's extraordinary public service, commitment

From left: Jackie Redd, Charles Redd, Mayor Tom Henry

Mayor Tom Henry presented the first “Key to the Fort” award to Charles Redd, who has been a community advocate in Fort Wayne for 40 years Sept. 26. This new honor goes to individuals who've made extraordinary commitment to the community through a lifetime of stewardship and involvement.

The “Key” is a hand forged replica of the iron key that was used at the Fort in the days of Anthony Wayne, circa 1790. The original key is at The History Center. History Center Executive Director Todd Maxwell Pelfrey says the key was discovered in very good condition, indicating it had probably not been buried in dirt for years and years. The key, with its highly unusual tumbler structure, came to the History Center from an early 20th century donation of the family of Mayor Franklin Randall, who was the City's mayor during the Civil War.

The first recipient of this award is Charles Redd, an 8-year City Council member and longtime community activist. Mayor Henry said he could think of no one more deserving than Redd, with whom the mayor served on City Council from 1984 to 1992.

“Charles has been a tireless advocate for equality and democracy in Fort Wayne and beyond,” said Mayor Henry. “He has lived his ideals in service to others through City Council, the Fort Wayne Urban League, the NAACP, his church and numerous non-profit organizations. We share many of the same personal and political values so I wanted to publicly recognize Charles for his service.”

Mayor Henry explained the idea for the award. “I had the idea from the Governor's Sagamore of the Wabash award and once we started working with the History Center in April to identify an appropriate symbol with historical significance, the key seemed like a good fit.” Mayor Henry said the City began working with an ironsmith in June, “The base of the award is made from wood we found from the original St. Vincent's Church at the corner of Wallen and Old Auburn roads. Fort Wayne-based Baldus Co. designed the whole piece and we're thrilled with the way it turned out.”

The Mayor recognized Redd at a ceremony in City Council Chambers, surrounded by Redd's family, colleagues and friends.

For video from the presentation, visit the City's YouTube channel.

Mayor Henry's proclamation for Charles Redd

WHEREAS, Always a civic-minded person, Charles represented the 1st District on the Fort Wayne City Council from 1984 to 1992 and served as council president for two consecutive years; and

WHEREAS, While employed by the Urban League of Fort Wayne, Mr. Redd assisted the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and the Fort Wayne Branch of the NAACP in their service as advocates for public school desegregation and encouraged major industries to employ ex-offenders; and

WHEREAS, Charles Redd has been a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne since 1970 and served two terms as the congregation's president and a Unitarian Universalist Association Trustee at the national level while living the principles of affirming the inherent worth and dignity of every person with justice, equity and compassion in human relations and respecting the use of the democratic process; and

WHEREAS, Charles was raised in Detroit, Michigan, and continues to be a loyal Detroit Tigers fan, and has provided leadership to Fort Wayne non-profits by serving on the boards of many organizations that touch thousands of people in Fort Wayne and northeast Indiana.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THOMAS C. HENRY, Mayor of the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, do hereby proclaim, September 26, 2008, as

CHARLES REDD DAY

in Fort Wayne, and encourage all citizens to recognize the tireless service Charles Redd has provided to the city of Fort Wayne.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Office of Mayor, City of Fort Wayne, Indiana to be affixed this 26th day of September, 2008.

Thomas C. Henry

Mayor