Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1470295
(For more information on educators' recommended candidates, visit the Election 2022 home on cta.org.) CTA Executive Director Joe Boyd, in his council speech, noted how crucial elections are as many of our rights and freedoms are under attack, including voting rights, reproductive freedom and marriage and equality rights. "Elections matter - from our school boards to the White House, from city councils to the statehouse," Boyd said. He emphasized that union power, from successes at CTA's charter schools and locals to what's happening at Starbucks, Amazon and more, comes from organizing at the ground level. "It's those daily wins that lead to big wins in an election year." Especially poignant was acknowledgement of Harvey Milk Day on May 22, the final day of State Council. Delegates heard from members of the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Issues Advisory Committee during its Pride Month presentation. Milk's message to give young people hope is just as urgent today, given continuing attacks on LGBTQ+ educators and students. Said SOGIIAC's Nichole DeVore, "It is vital that we continue to stand up and be out role models for our students so they can see themselves and believe that they too can live their lives in their truest forms and thrive as valuable human beings." The CTA Higher Education Award CTA recognizes and promotes excellence in teaching; advocacy for the profession and for the union; attention to inclusion, equity and diversity; and community and student engagement. Community College Association and San Joaquin Delta College TA member Dr. Wes Swanson received the inaugural CTA Higher Education Award for his outstanding accomplishments in all these areas. Members of CTA's newest local – the Association of Clovis Educators – stopped by State Council. With them are CTA President E. Toby Boyd, second from left, and CTA Vice President David B. Goldberg and Secretary-Treasurer Leslie S. Littman, both at right. The next State Council of Education takes place on Oct. 21-23 in Los Angeles. WHO "We Honor Ours" Awards E A C H Y E A R since 1966, CTA has honored chapter members throughout the state who have made out- standing contributions to the advancement of the teaching profession. The WHO Awards recognize these individuals' local leadership and e•ective rep- resentation on the Service Center Council (SCC) and CTA State Council of Education. The 2022 recipients: Alcosta SCC — Keith Brown, Oakland EA Bay Valley SCC — Aba Ngissah, Beverly Hills EA Capital SCC — Jessica Hilderbrand, Twin Rivers United Educators Chico SCC — Alberto Mojica, Orland TA CTA/NEA Retired — John Graham Delta SCC — Chandra McPeters, Stockton TA Golden Gate SCC — Betty Robinson-Harris, United Educators of San Francisco High Desert SCC — Antonieta Somoza, Palmdale Elementary TA Imperial County SCC — Carmina Ramirez, Associated Calexico Teachers Merced/Mariposa SCC — Ron Newark, Merced City TA Orange SCC — Grant Schuster, Anaheim Secondary TA Redwood SCC — Janet Renfrow, Fairfield-Suisun Unified TA San Diego County SCC — Catherine Sprecco, Lakeside TA (2021) ; James Messina, Grossmont TA (2022) San Gorgonio SCC — Je Kingsberg, Temecula Valley EA Service Center One — Jacquella Payne, Mountain View TA Southeastern SCC — Lorraine Richards, Montebello TA Stanislaus SCC — JoDee Bonales, Ceres TA Student SCC — Catalina Castillo, San Bernardino Valley College Tulare-Kings SCC — Wendy Colson, Tulare City TA UTLA/NEA SCC — Cecily Myart-Cruz, UTLA/NEA 49 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 2