Pittsburgh’s People of the Year

In a town that’s still too often celebrated for its athletes more than its academics, and in a year when political tensions were high and news headlines — like September’s report from the city’s Gender Equity Commission on “Pittsburgh’s Inequality Across Gender and Race” — revealed disparities in our region, one might mistakenly think we’re ending the year with little to celebrate. But, despite the difficulties, Pittsburgh has also had a lot of really great wins, largely made possible thanks to the efforts from the exceptional people we’re featuring throughout this week’s issue.

Pittsburgh’s People of the Year include a teenager striking week after week on the steps of the City-County building, trying to make the world better for future generations. The pair of women spearheading a new direction for the city’s food and drink industry. The writer who is bringing Pittsburgh’s story to the world. The group of hard-working employees standing up to their employer against the odds. And, in what might be a surprise, the billionaire who’s using his position to enact much needed change.

This year’s winners were selected through a process of nominations, debate, then a blind vote from members of Pittsburgh City Paper’s editorial staff. For the first time ever, to better celebrate the people who make up our city, we’re celebrating winners in 10 different categories:
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Environment
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Food and Drink
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Labor
• Pittsburgh People of the Year: Music
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Visual Arts
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Literature
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Theater
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Health
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Politics
• Pittsburgh's People of the Year: Business

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