LOCAL EMPLOYEE RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF HUD'S 13 EXCEPTIONAL WOMEN IN 2005
Robbie Herndon selected for her dedication and contributions to civil rights

KANSAS CITY, KS - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) Regional Director Macie Houston announced today the selection of Ms. Robbie Herndon as one of HUD's 13 exceptional women in 2005. Ms. Herndon
is the Regional Director for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity in the Kansas City, Kansas HUD Office responsible for all federal fair housing issues and civil rights enforcement in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
The recognition is part of HUD's 2005 National Women's History Month celebration recognizing women who bring admirable service to HUD.

Ms. Herndon was selected for this award based on her loyalty, dedication, honesty, fairness and lifetime achievements. Her commitment to civil rights; her dedication to the Department; her spirit, professionalism, determination to succeed; her example to others; and her contributions to the community are all attributes that resulted in her selection for this prestigious award.

Regional Director Macie Houston said, "I am honored to recognize Robbie with this award. Her professional career
and personal commitment to inclusiveness and equal opportunity for every person, has influenced many
communities and countless individuals. I am very proud to work with an individual recognized as one of HUD's best."

Ms. Herndon began her career with HUD in 1974. She has received numerous awards including the Secretary's Distinguished Service Award, Award for Supervisory Excellence, Public Trust Officer Award, many Outstanding Performance Awards and the Federal Executive Board's Distinguished Public Service Ambassador Award. She is a founding member of the Faith and Community Resource Partners of Greater Kansas City, an organization that brings together the faith community and public officials to help resolve community problems. She is also a founding member of the Kansas City Civil Rights Consortium. She is active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, NAACP, the Nile Home for Children Advisory Board, and FBI Civil Rights Advisory Committee. She serves on the Advisory Board for Computer Village, and organization that brings computer literacy to the central cities of Kansas City and St. Louis.

As part of the award recognition, Ms. Herndon and the other HUD 2005 exceptional women will be pictured on HUD's 2005 Women's History Month Poster.

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