Resolution In Recognition of Rebekah W. Schmitt

Resolution passed by the Commission on Human Rights on June 27, 2023.

WHEREAS, Rebekah Schmitt displays the true actions of a community leader with remarkable
compassion for human rights for our marginalized communities in Sonoma County, including the
youth who identify as LGBTQIA2S+ and families across the county; and

WHEREAS, Schmitt brought forward the Sage Casey Foundation which was founded in
memory of Sage Casey Schmitt, who was Schmitt’s 14-year-old child who identified as gender
fluid and pansexual and longed to be accepted but succumbed to social pressures which led to a
difficult struggle with depression and ultimately led to losing their life to suicide; and

WHEREAS, while all those who knew and loved Sage grieve the loss of their beautiful soul on
our physical Earth, Schmitt continued the critical conversations of dismantling the stigma of
mental health and protecting the lives of our LGBTQIA2S+ youth in honor of Sage’s memory
through the Sage Casey Foundation; and

WHEREAS, the Sage Casey Foundation continues to make prominent efforts in our community
by sharing Sage’s story to help others, sponsoring Hillcrest Middle School students for a full
week-long scholarship to Cazadero Performing Arts Camp each summer, and reminding as many
people as possible that they are valuable and that they matter, as well as provide crisis resources
when needed; and

WHEREAS, while the Sage Casey Foundation is not limited to this work, the organization, and
Schmitt are invaluable allies and champions for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and the whole
community beyond; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Sonoma County Commission on Human Rights hereby
honors Rebekah Schmitt with the utmost gratitude and recognition and conveys upon her the
honorary title of Community Human Rights Champion.