Winners of CTA’s 2023–24 Human Rights Awards were recognized at the CTA Equity and Human Rights Conference on March 2 in Los Angeles. The theme for the 40th anniversary of the prestigious awards was “Celebrating Change Makers.” This year’s awardees indeed have made positive change in public education, the union and labor movement, and our greater society. Their contributions have been profound.

“Today is about our incredible awardees,” said CTA President David Goldberg in opening the event. “They — and every one of us — deserve to be recognized for the work we do and the commitment we make to each other, to our students and to a better world.”

The Human Rights Awards program’s goal is to promote the development of programs for the advancement and protection of human and civil rights within CTA. Awards are given annually to CTA chapters, service center councils, and members in up to 11 categories (find more information at cta.org/awards). Congratulations to the winners!

Denisha Jordan, United Teachers Los Angeles, African American Human Rights Award in Honor of Lois Tinson

William H. Scott, Porterville Educators Association, American Indian/Alaska Native Human Rights Award in Honor of Jim Clark

Fontana Teachers Association, CTA Chapter Human Rights Award

Lori de St. Aubin, San Lorenzo Education Association, CTA Member Human Rights Award

Southeastern Service Center Council, CTA Service Center Council Human Rights Award

Olive Garrison, Kern High School Teachers Association, Human Rights Award for LGBTQ+ Advocacy in Honor of Nancy Bailey

Jessica Potts, Irvine Teachers Association, Human Rights Award for Women’s Advocacy

Gabriel S. Alegre, San Mateo Elementary Teachers Association, Pacific Asian American Human Rights Award

Deborah Schneider Solis, United Teachers Los Angeles, Students with Exceptional Needs Human Rights Award

Watch and Listen

Videos of CTA’s 2024 Human Rights Award winners feature the awardee talking about their work and what it means to them, their students and community. Watch the videos here.

Group photo caption: Front row, from left, CTA Secretary-Treasurer Erika Jones; Olive Garrison (Kern High School Teachers Assn.); William H. Scott (Porterville Educators Assn.); CTA President David Goldberg; Jessica Potts (Irvine Teachers Assn.); CTA Vice President Leslie Littman. Back row, Human Rights Awards Selection Committee member and CTA Board Member Robert Ellis; Denisha Jordan (UTLA); Deborah Schneider Solis (UTLA); Gabriel S. Alegre (San Mateo Elementary Teachers Assn.); Human Rights Awards Selection Committee members Camille Butts and Maya Walker; Lori de St. Aubin (San Lorenzo Education Assn.).