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July 5, 2006

Fourteen Honored for Contributions to Education

Human and Civil Rights Awards presented during annual RA

WASHINGTON—Fourteen individuals from various walks of life were honored on Saturday, July 1, 2006, during the National Education Association's Annual Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner. The awards honor the achievements of NEA constituents and celebrate the multicultural roots of its members. The awards also serve as reminders of the many challenges the leaders of the human rights struggle faced and the need to continue to push the standard of equal rights for all.

The awards, presented by NEA President Reg Weaver and NEA Executive Director John Wilson, were given to individuals and groups who have expanded educational opportunities for minority students and educators and improved intergroup relations in the public schools. This year’s honorees include:

Christine Sundberg , Denver, Colo., received the Applegate-Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award, which is named for former NEA President Irmavae Applegate and Sidney Dorros, a staff consultant to the NEA Bicentennial Committee. Sundberg was recognized for her leadership in raising funds and awareness for the international problem of clearing land mines.

Beth Dutton , Windsor, Vt., was the recipient of the Author-Illustrator Human and Civil Rights Award, intended to recognize the contributions of those whose graphic and literary creations help students understand the significance of human and civil rights in our daily lives. Dutton created a curriculum known as "Holocaust and Resistance Studies."  With over 30 years of Holocaust research, Dutton turned it into a printed and Internet program that has received numerous positive reviews.

Paul J. Matthews , Sugarland, Texas, was presented the Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award, named for the notable African-American scholar and historian who founded the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. The founder and executive director of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, Matthews was recognized for the museum’s contributions to preserving and chronicling the African-American military experience. 

Congressman Raul M. Grijalva , Tucson, Ariz., was the recipient of the César Chávez Acción y Compromiso Human and Civil Rights Award, named for the labor and civil rights movements leader who inspired thousands of farm workers to unionize and served on the Executive Committee of the World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession (now Education International). Grijalva was recognized for his committed advocacy for workers' rights.

Sharon Y. Moriwaki Miyashiro , Honolulu, Hawaii, received the Ellison S. Onizuka Award, named for the first Asian/Pacific Islander chosen by NASA for the astronaut program. Onizuka credited Hawaii's public schools for steering him toward a career as an astronaut. Miyashiro has been successful in increasing public understanding and appreciation of the heritage of Asian and Pacific Islanders and creating numerous educational and career opportunities for her community.

California Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg , Los Angeles, Calif., was the recipient of the George I. Sánchez Memorial Award. George I. Sánchez was an educator, historian, and author who devoted 50 years of his life to the education of Mexican, Navajo and Black children and is known as the "father of the movement for quality education for Mexican Americans." For 18 years, Goldberg taught reading to students, many of whom only spoke English as a second language. She also developed and directed a cross-disciplinary reading program to strengthen the critically important skills her students needed.

Phil Wilson , also of Los Angeles, Calif., was presented the Virginia Uribe Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights. Virginia Uribe is a high school teacher and counselor and a leader in the movement to improve the lives of gay and lesbian youth. As executive director of the Black AIDS Institute in Los Angeles, Calif., Wilson has engaged Black institutions and individuals to develop numerous educational initiatives to confront HIV/AIDS.

Sandra Rooks, Clearwater, Fla., and John McIntyre , of Sioux Falls, S.D., were recipients of the H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award. Harper Councill Trenholm served for 21 years as executive secretary of the American Teachers Association (ATA). A retired educator, Rooks cofounded the Pinellas County African American History Museum and serves as its curator and executive director.  She lectures on Black history at libraries and community centers. Also a retired educator, McIntyre was recognized for his outreach to members of the Sioux Falls Indian community.  Working with students and parents, he has helped members of the tribe navigate many bureaucracies and struggles. 

Jack Seltzer , Monument Valley, Utah, was the recipient of the Leo Reano Memorial Award, which is named for the teacher, artist and interpreter who dedicated his life to securing educational opportunities for American Indian/Alaska Native children. Seltzer has studied the Navajo culture for the past 21 years, and he is fluent in the Navajo language. He uses his historical knowledge to enhance his classroom teaching. 

Willie E. Gary, Esq. , Stuart, Fla., received the Martin L. King Jr. Memorial Award, named for the civil rights leader who opened pathways of hope for Americans of all races and groups and helped to enact civil rights law that shaped our modern society. NEA honored Gary for his efforts to make sure Blacks have the opportunity to obtain a college education and live the American dream.

State Representative Carol C. Juneau , Browning, Mont., was presented the Mary Hatwood Futrell Award. Mary Hatwood Futrell increased national awareness of the Equal Rights Amendment during her presidency of ERAmerica. She also made NEA a leading champion of women's rights during her three terms as NEA president. Rep. Juneau was honored for her extensive role in affecting change at every level of Montana’s educational and legal structure

The Eugene Education Association , Eugene, Ore., received the Rosena J. Willis Memorial Award, named for an early pioneer of NEA's early human and civil rights efforts. After her school district closed rather than desegregate its public schools, Ms. Willis became one of the original displaced Black teachers. The Eugene Education Association received the award for creating a diversity training program within the 4J School District.

The Pride Players , Omaha, Neb., were recipients of the SuAnne Big Crow Memorial Award, named for the American Indian student from Pine Ridge, S.D., who was an outstanding athlete, student leader and role model who died in a tragic car accident when he was very young. The Pride Players use theater to share the experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students who have persevered through name calling, stigmatization, isolation and even violence—all of which are often ignored by the adults around them. 

The 2006 Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner also commemorated the fortieth anniversary of the 1966 merger between the primarily Black American Teachers Association (ATA) and the National Education Association (NEA). The merger forever changed the National Education Association and further promoted the civil and human rights of both educators and children, which NEA continues to do today.

(Editors note: P hotographs and bios of the award recipients are available upon request. )

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.8 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.