Jean Cavender, director of the St. Louis Holocaust Museum and Learning Center (HMLC) for the past seven years, has been selected as one of 12 women to be honored by the Hellenic Spirit Foundation (HSF) and the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL) for making a significant and positive difference to the community.   

The HSF has been honoring men and women for almost 20 years who have made unique contributions to society through their professions, personal backgrounds and various causes.

During her tenure as HMLC director, the Museum has experienced significant growth with approximately 30,000 people visiting annually. The HMLC has regularly partnered with a variety of art, educational, historical, media, advocacy, and law enforcement institutions to be able to promote the mission of the Museum to inspire all people to confront hatred, promote human dignity and prevent genocide.

Cavender currently serves on the state Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission, St. Louis Bosnian Community Collaborative, Nine Network Community Advisory Board (formerly KETC), Board of Interfaith Partnership/FBW, and member of the Women’s St. Louis Forum.  She also serves as Vice President of JProStl. In January she was honored by her colleagues with the 2010 JProStl Visionary Award.  

Said Nick Karakas, HSF chair, “We were very pleased that Jean has been selected for this honor. She is very worthy of the award for all the beneficial work that she’s done in St. Louis. She stands as a person whom we all should emulate.”