Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/1518807
Prior to and post pandemic, the Southeastern Service Center Council (SESSC) has made a commitment to their community. In partnership with the SESSC Equity Team, SESSC leadership and local chapters in the service center, all involved have made it a priority to lift up mar- ginalized segments of the community. Each member of the SESSC supports this work by highlighting a different Community Based Organization (CBO) at each service center meeting. A representative from the highlighted CBO gives a presentation. Some of the CBOs work with women/children in crisis, foster youth, LGBTQ+ youth, and families with incarcerated parents. These emotional, joyful presentations have helped to grow empathy and understanding for all. The Equity Team follows up with the CBO to discuss their needs and service center mem- bers step up to bring in the needed donations. Chapters have included budget lines to support organizations in SESSC communities. The Equity Team also hosts a reception and toy drive in December so that children in the com- munity can receive holiday gifts. "Southeastern is so giving, [and has] a very family feel inside and outside of meetings," said CTA Board Member Margie Granado, who nominated SESSC for the award. "It 's just very connected. Even before we started doing community-based work , at every meeting we would raise funds for CTA's Disaster Relief Fund. We want to make sure we support our own members." Olive Garrison Kern High School Teachers Association HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD FOR LGBTQ+ ADVOCACY IN HONOR OF NANCY BAILEY Olive Garrison has persistently fought to eliminate stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and hate-motivated violence directed toward LGBTQ+ students, fellow educators and others. Garrison has literally put their life on the line speaking out for LGBTQ+ students. After being quoted in a January 2023 New York Times article that was widely shared in right-wing media, they 've been targeted with transphobic/homophobic hate, including doxxing and death threats. Despite all this, Garrison has forged on with their work. " They taught me that as important as having a Gender & Sexuality Alliance and other affinity groups in our schools [Garrison has been a GSA advisor since joining Kern High School District (KHSD) in 2017], teaching LGBTQ+ history is more powerful because it affects all students. It decreases bullying and makes it a safer community," said Elise Sotello, who nominated Garrison for the award. Garrison also trains educators throughout the state in teaching LGBTQ+ history, and presents and trains at the ONE Archives Foundation, The Center on Colfax — LGBTQ Colorado, the California Department of Education, the California Council for the Social Stud- ies (CCSS), and at CTA and other conferences. Their efforts in and outside the classroom as a voice for the marginalized have not gone unnoticed. They 've received the Don Romesburg Prize from the American Historical Association's Com- mittee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History, and CCSS' Equity, Inclusion & Social Justice Award. Last year, at the first-ever KHSD Lavender Awards, they received Advisor of the Year. While continuing to teach LGBTQ+ history in high school and community college, Garrison is pursuing a doctorate degree (Ed.D.) in Educational Leadership. Southeastern Service Center Council CTA SERVICE CENTER COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD 35 A P R I L / M AY 2 0 24