Four well-known residents named 'Great Living Cincinnatians’

CINCINNATI - Four people are being honored as "Great Living Cincinnatians" not only for their outstanding leadership and accomplishments, but also for what those contributions did to make the area a better place.

On Monday, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber named Thomas Cody, Edwin Rigaud, Richard Rosenthal and Phyllis Weston as the Great Living Cincinnatians for 2013. The quartet will be honored at the chamber’s annual dinner on Feb. 21.

The Great Living Cincinnatian Award is presented to residents who have helped shape the community through service, business, leadership, involvement and other factors. The four honorees join a list of 131 other great living Cincinnatians.

“Members of the class of 2013 have enjoyed tremendous professional success, and they enhanced our region by advocating change and growth — particularly at some of our most respected institutions,” said Ellen van der Horst, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber in a news release. “They are true life-sized heroes and we are delighted to spotlight their accomplishments and contributions.”

Cody is well known for his work behind the scenes and helping organize community groups, especially during a time of civil unrest in the area. Cody led through the Cincinnati Community Action Now Commission and pressed forward gathering hundreds of volunteers to lead and staff multiple committees dealing with health care, education, business, policing and the criminal justice system.

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is a fixture in downtown Cincinnati that wouldn’t be there without the guidance of Rigaud. The Procter and Gamble alumnus served as the first full-time director for the Freedom Center and led the effort to refine the concept, ground the effort in market research, build a staff, design the space, raise $110 million and construct the new facility. 

Rosenthal has used his skills to help others develop their potential. Rosenthal helped fund new projects at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, worked to donate $2.15 million for the Cincinnati Wing of the Art Museum, founded the Lois and Richard Rosenthal Institute for Justice/Ohio Innocence Project to promote positive social change and gave $1 million to the Freestore-Foodbank to help renovate its facilities. Also, the Contemporary Arts Center got a new home with a $5 million gift from Rosenthal.

Weston is a skilled artist who has helped grow galleries around Cincinnati. In addition to bringing known artists from New York and Paris to Cincinnati for the first time, Weston also helped local artists who worked in many different styles and techniques. Her donation of 78 paintings by 46 different artists brought new life to the Cincinnati Wing of the Art Museum.

The Great Living Cincinnatian Award has been presented annually by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber since 1967. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Duke Energy Center’s Grand Ballroom on Feb. 21. For more information about the winners and ticket availability, go to http://www.cincinnatichamber.com/cham_a.aspx?menu_id=150&id=20696 .