Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/669580
ARLENE INOUYE United Teachers Los Angeles Pacific Asian American Human Rights Award Descendant of an early civil rights leader and granddaughter of the first Japa- nese-speaking social worker in Los Angeles, Inouye was interned with her family in several camps during World War II. When the Iraq War broke out in 2002, she founded the Coalition for Alternatives to Militarism in Our Schools aer seeing how military recruiters lied to entice youth who had few other options in life. Inouye has worked as a Spanish bilingual speech-language specialist, adult education teacher, and multicultural human relations trainer. She is working for the "Schools LA Stu- dents Deserve" campaign opposing billionaires who seek to privatize schools. C. SCOTT MILLER Santa Ana Educators Association Nancy Bailey Leadership in Lesbian and Gay Issues Human Rights Award Miller has helped bring to the forefront issues, concerns, recognitions and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ people — especially as a union member of the CTA GLBT Caucus, NEA GLBT Caucus, and GLBT Issues Advisory Committee. He has also worked as a CTA liaison to Equality California. He has trained many CTA and NEA members who desire a better understanding of issues around the LGBTQ+ community. His well-received workshops include "Creating a Safe Space: Legal Obligations in Today's Classroom" and "TransCode: Transcending Gender." LUCIA POLK San Pasqual Teachers Association Jim Clark American Indian/Alaska Native Human Rights Award For Polk, preserving cultural heritage, traditions and values of the Quechan tribe is key to her work as an educator. As a teacher's aide in the 1990s, Polk found that many Quechan students didn't know anything about the traditions or language of the tribe. She and her mother began an aer-school program to teach the lan- guage, traditional bird songs and cultural beadwork. The program grew over the years and continues to this day. As an educator, she continues to teach Quechan history and culture, and has shared her knowledge and experiences in starting aer-school programs with other tribal councils. JENNIFER THOMAS San Jose Teachers Association Women's Issues Human Rights Award Thomas felt that not being able to use sick leave during maternity/paternity leave (as was the policy in her district) was wrong. She worked with the office of Assem- bly Member Nora Campos (D-San Jose) for a year to create policy and turn it into law. Thomas helped educate Assembly members on the nuances of maternity leave, differential pay, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the fact that teachers do not receive State Disability Insurance. AB 375, passed in 2015, expands the defini- tion of "differential pay" to include parental leave for all local educational agencies. WHITNEY WEDDELL Kern High School Teachers Association CTA Member Human Rights Award Whitney Weddell began teaching in 1989 in Bakersfield. As an out lesbian, she fought against discrimination, harassment and hate-motivated violence, not only toward LGBTQ+ people but all people perceived as "different." In the fall of 2003, she started a local chapter of Marriage Equality USA. In 2004 she helped found Bakersfield LGBTQ, dedicated to creating positive change in people's lives through advocacy, education, social support and networking. Weddell has worked tire- lessly with local educators to start and maintain 19 Gay Straight Alliances at local high schools, and helps them communicate and organize for events. GROSSMONT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION CTA Chapter Award (accepted by Fran Zumwalt, GEA president) The Grossmont Education Association (GEA), under the leadership of President Fran Zumwalt, spent nearly two years organizing its members to successfully bargain contract lan- guage that provides six weeks of paid maternity leave. Contract language providing a mother the opportunity to bond with her child while not burdened by loss of pay is a first for a school district and for a CTA contract. GEA has established itself as a local that has reached out and worked well with a conserva- tive school board and community in San Diego. This positive relationship has helped stake- holders recognize issues that must be resolved together regardless of the current political dynamics. UNITED TEACHERS LOS ANGELES CTA Service Center Council Human Rights Award (accepted by Cecily Myart-Cruz, chair) UTLA is a chapter of activists in schools, in the union, and in the community. Among its outstanding work to improve and protect the human rights of Los Angeles Unified School Dis- trict's 35,000 educators and 640,000 students this past year: • In October 2015, UTLA fought for and secured a landmark agreement to radically improve teachers' working conditions and students' learning environment. • UTLA members worked with their com- munities and LAUSD to reduce class size. Lower class sizes increase students' access to teachers and make student behavior easier to manage, resulting in reduced violence in schools. • UTLA continues to build more effective family, school and community partnerships. For example, the Parent and Community Organizing Committee — with a focus on Local Control Accountability Plan spending — informed parents and student groups across the district of their rights as educational stakeholders. It also trained the community on how to organize and address the school board so that they could make significant changes at their school sites. 45 April 2016