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On November 18, friends of the American Rights at Work Education Fund gathered together at our fifth annual Awards Celebration to celebrate and recognize remarkable honorees from the labor, business, and political activist communities. In a room filled with human rights, civil rights, faith, environmental justice, student, arts, and labor leaders, we saw just how committed our broad array of progressive partners are to protecting workers’ rights to form unions.

We paid tribute to John J. Sweeney, the remarkable leader of America’s labor movement who has dedicated his life to standing up for the rights of working men and women across our nation. Presented the Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award by AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka, Sweeney, now “Labor Warrior at Large,” reminisced about going to see President Franklin Roosevelt as a child. He said he would hear his parents talking excitedly about supporting FDR’s policies, and how it meant so much to receive an award bearing the name of one of his enduring heroes.

We saluted the diverse coalition of entrepreneurs and business owners comprising Business Leaders for a Fair Economy, a coalition that is voicing the need for meaningful labor law reform—and, in particular, passage of the Employee Free Choice Act—as fundamental to long-term economic growth. Accepting the award on their behalf was Roger Smith, President and CEO of American Income Life Insurance Company and National Income Life Insurance Company. Also present to accept on behalf of Business Leaders for a Fair Economy were Advisory Committee Members Darren Horndasch, President and CEO of Wisconsin Vision; Damien Miller, CEO of Comet Way, Inc.; and Diana Ortiz, owner of Ortiz Enterprises, LLC.

We also heard from American Rights at Work Board Chair David Bonior, who introduced new American Rights at Work Executive Director Kimberly Freeman Brown. Freeman Brown called for us all to commit to more strategic action, broader and deeper alliances, and a clear vision, so that together we can and will guarantee freedom and justice for all workers.

The evening was emceed by nationally-renowned commentator, writer, speaker, and author Jim Hightower, whose populist sense of humor kept us on our toes all night. Pam Parker, a jazz vocalist with deep connections to the labor movement, rounded out the evening with her expressive performance. 

     

We would like to thank everyone whose support for this event and our work all year round helps us in our fight for economic justice. We look forward to continuing to work together to strengthen public support for the Employee Free Choice Act and to make the right to organize a reality for America's workers.

Slideshow of photos from the event:

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