Do you know a WEEL/AFT-WEA member who has gone above and beyond the call of leadership to become a role model for all members and leaders? If so, please nominate her or him for the Dorothy Gibson Award.
The Dorothy Gibson award, a new award we will give annually, honors one of WEEL/AFT's first and most active members, Dorothy Gibson. It is an award that focuses on our major purpose: organizing to change the balance of power. A true early education pioneer, Dorothy set in motion the fight for child care directors, owners, and workers to receive worthy wages, respect, and access to professional development. Years ago, she recognized the need for early childhood educators to come together to solve problems and tackle issues such as quality child care, apprenticeship, and employment benefits. Dorothy brought the Washington state child care workforce to the attention of the American Federation of Teachers, who soon joined in the fight and helped give voice and support to the causes of early childhood educators in our state.
WEEL/AFT wishes to honor members who, like Dorothy, have actively and consistently supported the child care workforce and their union. We seek your nomination of members who have excelled as leaders and have set leadership examples by:
- Inviting early childhood professionals to join WEEL/AFT and become active participants.
- Organizing union meetings within their own regions or in other areas of the state.
- Representing our workforce at early childhood focused events by speaking or presenting workshops.
- Contacting local leaders and legislators and dialoging with them about our issues.
- Participating in the legislative process by attending hearings, Lobby Day, and the like.
- Hosting special events, such as phone banking parties, owner-director lunches, or other events to bring the early childhood education community together.
Please send your nomination to us via e-mail at weel@aftwa.org. Put "Dorothy Gibson Award Nomination" in the subject line, and then type the name of the person you are nominating and a short description as to why you are nominating him or her or yourself! A team of WEEL leaders will choose the recipient and the award will be presented at the Leadership Retreat on May 30, 2009.
If you have any questions about the nomination process or the award, please contact us at 206.242.4777, extension 26. We look forward to reading your nomination!
