Maria Day to Receive the Gene and Mary Jacobsen Award
June 15, 2026 | Source: Richfield Minnesota
Richfield, Minn. (June, 2026) – A woman who quietly turned her home into a lifeline for neighbors in need has been named Richfield’s 2026 Gene and Mary Jacobsen Outstanding Citizen Award recipient.
Maria Day is being recognized for her extraordinary commitment to serving others and strengthening the Richfield community. Each year, the Human Rights Commission honors a family, group, organization, business or individual that lives or works in Richfield. The award recognizes outstanding community service, a commitment to human rights, or efforts to improve our community and make it a better place for all.
It wasn’t surprising that 2026 yielded a record number of nominations. While hundreds of Richfield residents stepped up to support one another during a challenging year, nominators repeatedly pointed to Maria as someone whose compassion, leadership and commitment to community care stood apart.
“Maria is a fantastic human being, but never talks about it,” wrote one nominator. “She would probably deny she deserves this award, which I think is the type of person you want to give this award to.”