Shawn Jiminez ’27 has been awarded the 2025 John Lewis Youth Leadership Award, presented annually to a young person in Maine who demonstrates leadership abilities and a passion for social justice while working to improve the quality of life in their community.
Jiminez, from West Gardiner, Maine, is the youngest representative appointed to the Maine Education Association’s Human, Civil Rights, and Social Justice Committee and serves as cochair of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Maine Youth Advisory Board. At Bowdoin, he founded Students for Educational Equity, a student-led organization that addresses accessibility gaps. Jiminez also serves on the Youth Advocacy Team of the League of Women Voters of Maine.
"We are proud to award this distinguished honor to Shawn Jiminez, who has distinguished himself in his work to promote social justice and equity," said Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. "My team had the honor of collaborating closely with Shawn to advance voting rights for students. Shawn embodies the spirit and legacy of Congressman Lewis in working towards equity and inclusion for all. Shawn leads by example, showing us all that a young man from a small Maine town can make a big difference.”
The John Lewis Youth Leadership Award is named for the late Congressman John Lewis, who was known for his courageous achievements during the civil rights movement and his long tenure of public service. The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) established this award in February 2021, inviting secretaries to recognize a gifted, civic-minded young person in their state each year.