At a time when some believe there are too few people to admire anymore, four accomplished individuals received the O Museum Awards for their important contributions. Inspired by the legacy of Civil Rights icon Mrs. Rosa Parks — who lived at the O Museum in the Mansion from 1994 to 2004 — these awards recognize those who have made a lasting impact on society through truth-telling, civic leadership, humanitarian action, and the arts.
Whether through innovation, storytelling, or public service, each honoree exemplifies the quiet strength and moral clarity that defined Mrs. Parks’ life and continues to guide the mission of O Museum.
H.H. Leonards, founder of O Museum and a close friend of Mrs. Parks, says, “Our guests were inspired by the extraordinary lives and stories they heard about during the ceremony. Most importantly, as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, we recognize the enduring power of purpose. We honored those who lead with quiet strength, whose actions speak louder than words, and whose impact endures.”
The award recipients are:
Maria Marable-Bunch
Maria Marable-Bunch is honored with the Rosa Parks Lifetime Legacy Award for a career that bridges history and hope. With unwavering purpose and quiet strength, she embodies the spirit of Mrs. Parks: fearless in truth, steadfast in service, and committed to building a more informed and united society. Through her visionary work in archives, museums, and education, she has brought vital stories to light — championing civil rights, honoring Native American heritage, and advancing civic responsibility.
Adele Lim
Adele Lim is honored as O Museum’s Woman of the Year for a career that brings courage and complexity to the screen. A visionary storyteller, her writing reveals the heart of the human experience — exploring resilience, grace, and truth with rare depth and clarity. Beyond the page, her fearless advocacy for creative equity and professional respect echoes the quiet strength of Mrs. Parks. With every story she tells and every stand she takes, she elevates voices, inspires audiences, and moves culture forward.
Richard Bynum
Richard K. Bynum is honored with the O Museum Humanitarian Award for leadership that bridges business and purpose with lasting impact. At PNC and beyond, he has championed long-term strategies that expand opportunity, financial access, and civic responsibility — always grounded in service, integrity, and results. He leads not for recognition, but because it’s right — modeling the kind of clear-eyed, values-driven leadership that defined Mrs. Parks’ legacy and continues to inspire meaningful change.
Marla Blow
Marla Blow is honored with the Leadership Award for a career dedicated to driving meaningful change across philanthropy, business, and government. As President and CEO of the Skoll Foundation, and through her earlier work helping launch the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, founding FS Card Inc., and leading inclusive growth at Mastercard, she has spent more than 25 years expanding opportunity for underserved communities. Her belief is that opportunity should be within reach for everyone.
The evening featured a live performance by Quiana Parler, the powerful lead vocalist of two-time Grammy Award-winning band Ranky Tanky, who is known for her rich, soulful sound rooted in Gullah Geechee traditions. She performed “Enough,” a song written to honor Mrs. Rosa Parks, with music by Mark Bryan of Hootie and the Blowfish and lyrics by Oscar-winning songwriter Paul Williams.