From left, Vanessa West, Executive Director Positive Living North, Michelle Marrelli, and Diversity’s Shawn Peters – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C. – Diversity Prince George has honoured three people for their efforts in supporting equality.

Franca Petrucci, Michelle Marrelli and Bonnie Chapell were all recognized at a news conference Tuesday afternoon at Positive Living North.

“These three individuals are really being honoured because they laid the groundwork to get this group started,” said Diversity spokesperson Shawn Peters. “They designed the project going back 14 years ago.”

Diversity has launched several initiatives during that time – covering such areas as gender, sexuality, and addictions.

Marrelli was a school trustee when the program started and said it was “amazingly humbling” to be recognized.

“And like anything in life, nothing is ever done by yourself. The reality is I met Shawn as a young 21 year old that approached the school district along with Bonnie Chapell and Franca Petrucci,” she said.

“All of us had the will to find the way and it was handy I was part of the school board and very involved in policy and governance. We really wanted to make sure we were building safe schools and celebrating all the unique differences each one of us has.”