NYSUT Retiree Council 43 President Deb Peterson, received the award for Social Justice Activities of our members. At the RA,
RC 43 VP Felicia Bruce accepted the award in Deb's place.
NYSUT RC 43 received the Ken Kurzweil Social Justice Award at the 2017 RA.
Created as a result of a resolution passed at the 2016 NYSUT RA, this award recognizes those locals that have made a collective and sustained contribution to promoting social justice and human rights during the previous year. The award is named after longtime NYSUT Civil and Human Rights Committee Member and activist Ken Kurzweil, who spent years educating fellow NYSUT members and the local community on civil rights, social justice and human rights issues.
NYSUT RC 43 consistently evidences a belief in social justice issues as demonstrated in 2016 by:
* Educating their colleagues, students & community about conscious purchasing & Fair Trade.
* Advocating for educational justice.
* Favoring fair and unbiased immigration reform policies.
* Supporting initiatives to combat hunger and poverty.
* Promoting international solidarity.
* Demonstrating labor solidarity.
* Upholding support for human rights.
* Fighting for wage equity for women, people of color and immigrants.
* Championing women’s issues, history and rights.
* Opposing child labor practices.
Here are some of the ways that retired NY teachers in Florida continue to give back to the community: TREASURE COAST: Gail Adelhardt—American Association of University Women, Brandeis National, Mary's Shelter. SARASOTA: David Greise—aquarium guide, Mote Marine Laboratory; Ginny Griese—AV at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lakewood Ranch, Volunteer at Taoist Tai Chi Society, Women’s March Sarasota; David Muolo—President Selby Botanical Garden Associates; Sue Levinson—All Faith Food Pantry, Venice FL, Womens’ March Washington DC; Pat Benson—President of Democratic Womens Club, Vice President of AAUW and TRIF, Reading Pals volunteer (United Way), Mentor for Take Stock in Children, Thrivent Volunteer for community outreach, Stem Program for Manatee Branch of AAUW, NAACP volunteer when needed; Liz Lynne—Lakewood Ranch Humane Society; JD Lynne—Tour Guide Historic Spanish Point, Tour Guide Susan B Anthony House, Rochester, NY, Americans United for Separation of Church & State, Board of Directors, Local Coordinator Sarasota/Manatee Secular Organizations for Sobriety; Elly Rotheim—Director Selby Botanical Gardens Associates, Selby Botanical Gardens Welcome Center, Women’s March Sarasota; Jim Paone—Selby Botanical Gardens, John Ringling Museum ; Lee Henks—Usher at Venice Theatre, works in the dining room at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tutors at Epiphany Cathedral School, volunteers at Venice Regional Hospital; SOUTHEAST: Miriam Hanan—President of Southeast Unit TRIF, Interim Secretary RC 43, Vice President Democratic Club of Greater Boynton, Vice President PBC Democratic Veterans Caucus, Seated Member of PBC Democratic Executive Committee, Elected Precinct. Leader for Democratic Precinct 3150 in Election Zone 7W, Merrick Retired Teachers Coordinator of Communications and Retiree Benefits, Muirhead Estates at Aberdeen HOA Secretary in charge of legal documentation, Active member in PAP Corps, Member of ORT, Stage manager and performer in annual community show; Bill Cea—Trustee, Southeast Unit TRIF, Board of Directors FL Alliance for Retired Americans and Broward County AFL-CIO, member of Knights of Columbus, Lector and Eucharistic Minister- Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church; Cheryl Dodes—Newsletter Editor ODDS n’ ENDS and The Southeast Catalyst; Newsletter Editor Boca Raton Orchid Society, Docent at Green Cay Nature Center, Volunteer at Broward North Hospital, Joint Replacement Center, Writer and Production Staff for Times of Your Life magazine; Carolyn Buonomo—Secretary of TRIF, Usher at First Presbyterian Church in Pompano Beach Conservation Chair of Boca Garden Club, Member of Get out the Vote Team of Democratic Club of Highland Beach, Highland Beach Library volunteer; Debra Peters—Teaches weekly iPad/iPhone classes for members of her over-55 community, Facilitates weekly 2-mile sunrise ocean beach walks, including a little yoga and QiGong, Vice President of Programming for TRIF Southeast Unit, has organized HS reunions for the last 40 years; Marsha Friedman—Treasurer of RC 43 for the state of Florida, Treasurer of the Southeast Chapter of RC 43, Programming Chairman of the Mayim Hadassah chapter at Cascade Lakes community, on the set up and clean up committee of Hadassah, membership Vice President of the singles club in Cascades Lakes community; SPACE COAST: Deb Peterson—President RC 43; President Space Coast TRIF, Member NYSUT RAC, Schroon Lake Public Library Volunteer (Used Bookstore and House & Garden Docent), Schroon Lake Fish & Game Club (Lobster Bake Volunteer), Seagle Music Colony - does quartet & ensemble a cappella performances community/civic groups; Allan Gair—NYSUT RC 43 (retiring) Secretary, Space Coast TRIF VP Programs, Treasurer, Board Member, Chairman ER Front Desk, Chairman ER Back Supply, and Co-Chair Courtesy Valet Service at Health First Medical Group at Holmes Regional Hospital, Assistant to the Board, Compass Pointe HOA.
Click on Ken Kurzweil's picture to read the letter from NYSUT announcing RC43 as an award winner.