Sullivan County Teacher Awarded Inaugural Leadership Grant

WASHINGTON, DC (04/27/2007)(readMedia)-- Marianne Hegge, an English teacher at Jefferson Youngsville High School, was recently awarded the inaugural Sandy Feldman Leadership Grant for Emerging Women Leaders at New York State United Teachers' 35th Representative Assembly in Washington, D.C.

The grant was created to celebrate and commemorate the life of union pioneer Sandy Feldman, former president of the American Federation of Teachers. Established through the vision and generosity of Sandy's husband, Arthur Barnes, the grant recognizes and supports emerging women leaders.

"Marianne is emblematic of the outstanding generation of union leaders emerging all over New York state," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "She has demonstrated her dedication to promoting the union and getting members involved the way Sandy Feldman embraced activism as a young unionist."

Hegge serves as new-member committee chair and secretary of the Western Sullivan United Teachers and School-Related Professionals Benefit Trust and Scholarship Committee.

Each year, a recipient will be awarded a $2,000 grant to further her development as a union leader, helping with expenses such as union activities, training and conferences, or to defray costs associated with union involvement.

NYSUT represents 575,000 teachers, school-related professionals, academic and professional faculty in higher education, professionals in education and health care and retirees. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

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