Tanya Gersh

We honored Tanya Gersh at our 2023 Gala for her landmark lawsuit standing up against modern-day Nazism.

Tanya Gersh, a Montana real estate agent, was targeted by followers of The Daily Stormer, a far-right neo-Nazi website that advocates for the genocide of Jews. The site’s founder, Andrew Anglin, incited his followers to harass Gersh after accusing her of extortion. Gersh, who is Jewish, her husband, and her 12-year-old son received hundreds of anti-Semitic messages, including death threats.

In April 2017, the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit on Gersh’s behalf against Anglin, alleging that he had intentionally inflicted emotional distress. In November 2017, a federal judge ruled that Anglin’s harassment campaign was not protected under free speech. On August 8, 2019, Anglin was ordered to pay $14 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

Tanya Gersh stood up against modern-day Nazism and showed that justice can be dealt to those who stoke the flames of hatred and violence. Her perseverance and resilience are an inspiration to us all.

Edina mayor Jim Hovland presented A World of Upstanders Award to Tanya Gersh, May 2023

Also at our Gala, Judge Tara Kalar received the Alice Musabende Outstanding Citizen Award for her dedication to advancing human rights.

Judge Tara Kalar (left); Damon Kalar (right).