Bonnie Cannon, the executive director of the Bridgehampton Child Care and Recreation Center and a former Southampton Village trustee, has been selected to join the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission.
The agency, established in 1963, is charged with "the elimination of bias and discrimination in Suffolk County" through public education and complaint investigation.
Cannon joins the 15-member commission along with Dr. Hafizur Rehman. County Executive Steve Bellone also re-appointed Rachel Lee Davis, Dr. Gary Mar and Dionne Walker-Belgrave to new terms, with the County Legislature's approval.
In a county statement, Bellone said that both Cannon and Dr. Rehman are welcome additions to the commission.
“The work of the Human Rights Commission is critical to ensuring equal opportunity and equal rights for all residents of Suffolk County and I believe these two individuals bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Commission which will assist in addressing discriminatory practices as well as promote equality for all Suffolk County residents,” Bellone said.
Dr. Steven A. Moss, the chairperson of the commission, noted that Cannon is the first appointee in a number of years from the South Fork.
In addition to serving six years on the Southampton Village Board, Cannon is co-chair of the Southampton Town Housing Authority and a co-founder of the African American Museum of the East End.
“It is an honor for me to be appointed to such an esteemed group of individuals — the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission,” Cannon said. “I look forward to focusing in on individual's human rights in Suffolk County, which we know are often times neglected. I am committed and will do my part to ensure equal opportunity and equal rights for all."
