Dr. Holly Baggett - 2019 Awardee

Professor, History

Holly Baggett has been defining what it means to be a ‘CitizenBear’ before we even used the terminology.  She has significantly contributed to the rights and equality for the LGBTQ+ community at all levels.  Her leadership helped lay the framework to establish the GLO Center, which provides advocacy, outreach, programs and activities that encourage healing and growth to the LGBTQ+ persons throughout southwest Missouri.  In addition, she has successfully advocated for equal rights and nondiscrimination policies on both state and national levels through the PROMO organization. 

A particular passion has been in serving the Ozarks Lesbian and Gay Archives.  Via fundraising, coordinating volunteers, publishing and arranging oral history intakes, her work to document the experiences of LGBTQ lives in the Ozarks will have a lasting impact into the future.