Contact:  Ramona Parks Kirby at (202) 822-7823

July 2, 2008

Community Champions Receive NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards

Prestigious Awards Dinner held in Nation's Capital

WASHINGTON-Community champions from across the country are being honored by the National Education Association for their efforts to preserve human and civil rights.  Twelve NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards were given to educators, community activists and students who have advanced the cause of equal opportunity for all, improved relationships between diverse groups in public schools, and expanded educational opportunities for minority students and educators.

"The people honored tonight are ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  And that's how we improve our nation, one idea, one person and one act at a time," said Reg Weaver, president of NEA.  "The acts these community champions perform today will ensure that human and civil rights will be available for generations to come."

The winners' contributions are just as diverse as their hometowns, which range from Massachusetts to Nebraska to Hawaii.  The honorees have risked their safety by calming communities during the 1992 L.A. riots and keeping a Massachusetts town from erupting into violence.  They have fought for the preservation of the native Hawaiian language and pushed for bilingual education for Hispanic students.  They have founded organizations to help youth struggling with issues of sexual identity.  They have written plays, books, and produced films to improve tolerance and promote understanding.  

The 42nd annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner honors the legacy of the merger between NEA and the American Teachers Association, celebrates the Association's multiethnic roots, and salutes the human and civil rights heroes of our day.  The predominately Black ATA merged with the predominately White NEA in 1966, pledging to continue efforts in the minority community.  The merger made NEA a stronger, more inclusive organization with a keener sense of social justice that endures to this day.

The awards given each year are recommended by the Committee on Human and Civil Rights to the NEA Executive Committee for approval.  

Meet this year's HCR Award winners.

• John L. Reed - H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award
• Richard and Michele Steckel - Illustrator Human and Civil Rights Award
• Paul Mann - Applegate-Dorros Peace and International Understanding Award
• Jazmin Jones and Nicholas Parker - SuAnne Big Crow Memorial Award
• Brian Jeffrey - Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Award
• S. Haunani Apoliona - Ellison S. Onizuka Memorial Award
• VerlieAnn Leimomi Kapule Malina-Wright - Leo Reano Memorial Award
• Willis Franklin Earl Edwards - Rosa Parks Memorial Award
• Dr. Charles M. Christian - Carter G. Woodson Memorial Award
• Dr. Susan McGilvray-Rivet - George I. Sanchez Memorial Award
• Robin P. McHaelen - Virginia Uribe Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights
• Christopher Maly - H. Councill Trenholm Memorial Award

Photos Available Upon Request

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.