Vashon Island Resident Awarded MLK Medal of Distinguished Service

November 2, 2021

Summary

King County Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott awarded Alejandra Tres with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service on Tuesday. This award recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?”

Story

King County Council Vice Chair Joe McDermott awarded Alejandra Tres with the Martin Luther King Medal of Distinguished Service on Tuesday. This award recognizes individuals whose work has answered the question asked by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “What are you doing for others?” 

A resident of Vashon Island, Tres has resided in King County for over two decades. During that time, she co-founded Comunidad Latina de Vashon, an organization that aims to support and empower the Latinx community on Vashon Island. During the pandemic, Comunidad organized vaccination pop-ups and pushed for equitable access to online opportunity for students. Comunidad has also distributed rent assistance to families on the Island.

“Alejandra is a champion for people of Vashon Island and King County as a whole,” said Councilmember McDermott. “From co-founding Comunidad Latina de Vashon to organizing the Unincorporated BIPOC Economic Alliance, she has continued to lift up community during the pandemic. I am inspired by Alejandra’s creativity and tireless advocacy to make the world better for all of us.”

“I am overcome with gratitude,” said Tres. “This is an opportunity to highlight the important work happening in unincorporated King County – from connecting the Latino community on the island to the advocacy of our BIPOC Economic Alliance – to help create the future we want to live in.”

Tres also led efforts to secure $5 million in COVID relief dollars to support the economic recovery of BIPOC communities during COVID-19. Formerly, she was the Executive Director of the Municipal League of King County where she co-created readysetvote.org, with the aim of making voting more accessible.

This is the sixth year that King County Councilmembers have recognized a resident of each council district with this award.