Bloomfield Twp., Legal Community Honor Baroness Caroline Cox

Officials from Bloomfield Township and the State Bar of Michigan paid tribute to Baroness Caroline Cox Monday afternoon for her international humanitarian efforts and commitment to social justice during a special ceremony at the Northern Lakes Seafood Co.

Cox, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, is regarded as a global champion for the oppressed. She was in the Bloomfield area as a guest lecturer last Friday at Kirk in the Hills, and was the featured speaker at Oakland University's commencement Saturday.

Cox is currently the Executive Director of Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART), which works extensively to promote human rights in Africa and Asia.

Bloomfield Township Clerk Jan Roncelli, who met Cox on one of her previous visits to the area, presented her with a framed proclamation from the township board for her work.

"I remember her speaking to us at the time, and saying 'What a lovely thing. A ladies luncheon, and fresh fruit,'" Roncelli recalled. "An then she proceeded to tell us the stories about how scarce fruit is in the countries she's visiting."

"You sat there just humbled at the many wonders that we have here, and that we take for granted. You don't realize it until you meet somebody like her that has experienced areas that we have not."

Cox appeared humbled by the response and said she was grateful to visit.

"It's truly and has just been a wonderful trip," she told the group of two dozen attorneys.