American Association for Affirmative Action Announces 35th Annual Conference Award Winners

AAAA News Release
“Winning the Fight for Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion!”

Outstanding leaders in civil rights, diversity and journalism received association’s awards at annual conference in Chicago area

For Immediate Release:
April 10, 2009
Contact: Shirley J. Wilcher
202.349.9855
Washington, DC, April 10, 2009 – The American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), an organization of equal opportunity, diversity and affirmative action professionals, announced its award recipients at its 35th Annual Conference, “Winning the Fight for Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion,” held at the Lincolnshire Marriott, Lincolnshire, IL, April 1 – 4, 2009. Awardees received recognition for their contributions to equal opportunity through affirmative action and community service.

This year, the AAAA’s awardees were: Dr. Juan Andrade, President, United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, Cesar Estrada Chavez Award; civil rights attorney Thomas “TNT” Todd, Rosa Parks Award; Tannette Johnson-Elie, Columnist with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Community Service Award; IBM Corporation, Champion of Diversity Award; and Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award. Shanta Driver received the Drum Major for Justice Award for BAMN, the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration & Immigrants Rights and Fight for Equality by Any Means Necessary. Deborah Burris, Alvin Bingham and Jacqueline Johnson, AAAA board members and Administrator, respectively, received the AAAA President’s award. AAAA Executive Director Shirley Wilcher received a special “Drum Major for Justice” award.

AAAA President ReNee S. Dunman commended the awardees for their contributions to the cause of equal opportunity, access and diversity in their various fields. “Each of these award recipients has shown by their efforts a commitment to opportunity for all. They have dedicated a lifetime of service to the disadvantaged and are distinguished role models for the next generation,” she said. Ms. Dunman also acknowledged IBM for years of commitment to access and diversity. “AAAA joins others in recognizing IBM for its demonstrated efforts to open the doors of opportunity for all who are qualified.”

Cesar Estrada Chavez Award
The Cesar Estrada Chavez Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated leadership in support of workers' rights and humanitarian issues.

Rosa Parks Award
The Rosa Parks Award is presented to an individual who has served as a role model and leader to others through personal achievements, excellence in a chosen field, commitment to human rights, civil rights, and social issues, and contributions to the betterment of society.

Community Service Award
The Community Service Award is presented to an individual or organization demonstrating outstanding community service.

Champion of Diversity Award
The Champion of Diversity Award is given to organization that has demonstrated an outstanding level of dedication to the American Association for Affirmative Action’s mission of fostering equal opportunity as well as exhibiting outstanding commitment to diversity.

Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award
AAAA established the Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of the individual known as the “Father of Affirmative Action.” Dr. Fletcher served as Assistant Secretary of Labor during the Nixon Administration and is given credit for creating the Philadelphia Plan, the first affirmative action program that established employment goals for federal contractors in the construction industry. The Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award was established to recognize individuals who, like Dr. Fletcher, have devoted a lifetime of service and dedication to the principles of affirmative action: access, equity and diversity.

Drum Major for Justice Award
The Drum Major for Justice Award was first given in 2008 to recognize two deceased former members of Congress who had contributed a lifetime of work for equal opportunity through affirmative action. The original recipients were Rep. Augustus F. Hawkins (D-CA) and Rep. Parren Mitchell (D-MD). This year, AAAA recognized an organization whose mission and work has aided in promoting and defending affirmative action in the face of tremendous legal and legislative challenges.

For more information, go to www.affirmativeaction.org.
Founded in 1974, the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA) is a national not-for-profit association of professionals working in the areas of affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity. AAAA helps its members to be more successful and productive in their careers. It also promotes understanding and advocacy of affirmative action to enhance access and equality in employment, economic and educational opportunities.
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AAAA Holds Successful 35th Annual Conference

"Winning the Fight for Equity, Opportunity and Inclusion," was the triumphant theme of the 35th annual conference of the American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA). Opening on April 1st with the welcome address from AAAA President, ReNee S. Dunman and speaker Shanta Driver of BAMN and ending with the town hall meeting that closed the conference on Saturday, April 4th, the conference was replete with information for EEO, affirmative action and diversity professionals. Keynote speakers included Jim Ward of ADA Watch, who drove his Freedom bus to the event held in Lincolnshire, IL; Wednesday luncheon speaker Dr. Juan Andrade, US Hispanic Leadership Institute; William Means, Native American advocate; civil rights Attorney Thomas ("TNT") Todd, who electrified the audience on Friday, April 3; corporate diversity leaders Yvette Burton of IBM and Chris Marin of Cisco; Reverend Jesse Jackson, who received the Arthur A. Fletcher Lifetime Achievement Award; and Naomi Tutu, daughter of Bishop Desmond Tutu, who participated in the Saturday Town Hall with other distinguished speakers and gave an insightful international perspective on affirmative action.

Watch the AAAA website, www.affirmativeaction.org, for news of upcoming conferences and educational programs.