The Rye City Human Rights Commission announced the winner of the 2026 Rye Human Rights Award: Autumn Terrill of Give Good Parties, Inc. Terrill, who lives off Forrest Avenue, employs disabled adults at her party planning business. The announcement was made at the March 4, 2026 Rye City Council meeting. The commission’s youth award is now granted each June.
MyRye.com spoke with Terrill about her business and the award.
Your Name: Autumn Terrill
Your Role: Give Good Parties, Inc.
The name of the award: Rye Human Rights Award from the Rye City Human Rights Commission
MyRye.com: Describe yourself in one word: Coffeebuzz
Where do you live in Rye or Rye Neck?
Terrill: I live in Rye off of Forest Avenue.
Tell us about the activity that led to the award.
Terrill: In September, 2025, I launched an event planning company called, “Give Good Parties” which also employs differently-abled adults to assist with pre-party and post-party planning efforts. Give Good Parties is your guiding light to throwing a unique, intentional and all around brilliant party, celebrating life’s epic moments with an earth forward attitude. Give Good Parties employees receive paid, 1:1 job training through party planning and eco-friendly initiatives. The most rewarding part of my job is facilitating “community connections” with businesses and nonprofits throughout the party planning process. Having my employees actually meet the bakers of the cakes, the rabbi at the bar mitzvah, the manager at the event venue; this is what drives me. Expanding the networks of my employees and their circles of support is critically important and deeply meaningful. My goal is always two fold: throw an awesome party full of personality and inspire business owners to diversify their workforce.
Why did you get started in this area–what or who prompted you to become involved?
Terrill: My story is long, but the short of it is that I was raised in an incredibly loving, hilarious and unconventional home in Iowa with my siblings, and as a foster family, we always had a full house. My youngest brother, Adam, was first a foster child with multiple disabilities who I fell in love with and insisted my parents adopt. I was 5 years old. The rest is history. Today, Adam is 44 years old and still inspiring my every step. He is a comic genius who I totally adore and makes me laugh so hard. And he’s a complex human with autism who can be very challenging and a total pain in the butt and A LOT. And I absolutely love him.
Who nominated you for the award?
Terrill: I was nominated by Laura Labriola and Rita Capek. I have had the pleasure of getting to know their extraordinary, love-filled families over the past year. Laura’s son, TJ, was my very first employee, and Emma, Rita’s daughter, was my third! I will be forever grateful for their belief in me and taking a chance on this wild idea!
How did you hear you won the award?
Terrill: I received a somewhat ominous text message from Laura and thought for sure I had made some sort of mistake on payroll or something administrative, which as a new business owner, has been a growing pain. I broke out in a sweat and called her in a panic when she shared the amazing news. I totally cried; this was really unexpected and truly so meaningful.
What’s next?
Terrill: We are ready to PARTY! I am grateful to share that I’ve had a busy winter so I’ve been hiring new party planning assistants and am proud to say we are just shy of 10 AMAZING employees at Give Good Parties! We are ready to take on the graduation season of 2026 by storm!
Outside this work, what are three of your favorite things to do in and around Rye?
Terrill:
- Taking my dogs, Olive and Jerry, to the dog beach!
- Loving, supporting and cheering on my three awesome girls, Margo, Elsie and Thea!
- Finding funny ways to celebrate every little thing with my awesome friends.
Thanks Autumn!
