Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/669580
MELINA ABDULLAH California Faculty Association Lois Tinson Human Rights Award Abdullah, a professor and chair of Pan-African Studies at CSU Los Angeles, is an original member and part of the leadership team behind Black Lives Matter, one of the leading global movements committed to ending state-sanctioned violence against black people and upli- ing the value of black lives. She has been speaking out on national media, organizing protests, meeting with local and national policymakers, and connecting the various Black Lives Matter chapters across the nation. Her students say her courses leave a permanent impression by empow- ering them and giving them more confidence. KELLY FLORES United Teachers Los Angeles Cesar Chavez "Sí Se Puede" Human Rights Award While still in school, Flores volunteered at an immigrant issues center, helping families throughout San Diego. With the Raza Rights Coalition, she led community patrols to police the police and border patrol agents. She advo- cated for homeless migrant youth as a teacher's aide at a school/shelter for homeless youth, and as lead case man- ager at a shelter in Los Angeles. Flores helped organize a new chapter of Unión del Barrio in Los Angeles, working on women's issues, mobilizing immigrant students and contributing to the development of the Association of Raza Educators. The 2016 CTA Human Rights Award recipients. Standing: Lucia Polk, Melina Abdullah, Cecily Myart-Cruz, C. Scott Miller, Whitney Weddell, Fran Zumwalt. Seated: Kelly Flores, Arlene Inouye, CTA Secretary-Treasurer David Goldberg, President Eric Heins, Vice President Theresa Montaño, Jennifer Thomas. CTA photo by Sam DeMuro. Champions of Human Rights CTA members recognized for outstanding efforts K E L L Y F L O R E S has been at it for 27 years and counting. She has organized anti-war rallies, supported immigrant farmworkers, students and communities, and helped stem cuts to ethnic studies programs. Now, as a special edu- cation teacher, her work continues in the classroom and in the community. "Growing up, I spent time with family and friends on both sides of the border, crossing two or more times a week," says Flores. "I saw the disparity between poverty in Mexico and material wealth in the U.S. I witnessed and experienced discrimination and abuses at the border. rough volunteer work, I saw the conditions that migrant workers and families lived in." Flores, six other individuals and two locals were recipients of CTA's Human Rights Awards at the CTA Equity and Human Rights Conference in March. e awards recognize outstanding dedication to promoting and protecting human and civil rights. "ese educators transform students and communities," says CTA President Eric Heins. "ey are true champions with a real impact on our lives and our futures." For more, see cta.org/hrawardswinners. 44 cta.org