UFT honored by four groups

Pat Arnow

Mulgrew received, on behalf of the UFT, a “Community, Dignity and Power” award from community organization Make the Road NY where he shared honors with fellow labor leader George Gresham of 1199SEIU and other honorees. More photos >>

UFT President Michael Mulgrew accepted three awards on behalf of the UFT — from the New York City Parents Union, Make the Road NY and the Make the Grade Foundation — in the span of a week in mid-November for the union’s advocacy on behalf of students and educators and its leadership in progressive causes across the city. He accepted a fourth award from the New York Labor History Association on Nov. 29. The Parents Union, an important UFT ally, headed by Mona Davids, presented its award at the organization’s first-ever awards ceremony on Nov. 10. Then, on Nov. 16, Mulgrew received, on behalf of the UFT, a “Community, Dignity and Power” award from community organization Make the Road NY, also at a first-time ceremony, where he shared honors with fellow labor leader George Gresham of 1199SEIU and other honorees. In accepting that award, Mulgrew spoke about the importance of teaching children that “they can make their own road.” Later that week, the Make the Grade Foundation, founded and led by radio personality “Doctor” Bob Lee, held its sixth annual awards dinner and fundraiser on Nov. 17 in Flushing Meadows, Queens. The foundation is a youth motivational organization that promotes academic achievement through tutoring, mentoring and enrichment programs. “You can’t overstate the positive difference that Bob Lee and this great organization make in the lives of our young people in this city,” Mulgrew said. Finally, on Nov. 29, Mulgrew received the John Commerford Labor Education Award from the New York Labor History Association in a ceremony held at UFT headquarters. Larry Cary, a prominent labor lawyer, was also honored.