This year?s Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Dinner did more than provide college scholarships to 14 students. The annual event, held March 25 in Bloomington, raised more than $20,000 and attracted more than 300 people.
The fund provides scholarships to students attending Minnesota?s state colleges and universities, who belong to a racial minority group and who have a personal or family connection to a labor union.
The scholarships are given in honor of Johnson, a longtime union, civil rights and political activist in Minnesota who died in 2002 at age 96.
This year?s recipients:
From Metropolitan State University:
? Dorene Adams, of St. Paul. She is the daughter of Cleveland Adams, a member of Teamsters Local 1145.
? Debra Brown, of St. Paul. She is a member of AFSCME Local 3998.
? Donjia Johnson, of St. Paul. She is a member of AFSCME Local 3998.
From St. Cloud State University:
? Rosa Desm, of Brooklyn, N.Y. She is a member of the Communication Workers of America.
? Tadael Emiru, from Ethiopia. He is the son of Lishan Mengistu, a member of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
? Karen Kortgard, of St. Joseph. She and her father, Virgil Anspach, both are members of the Machinists union.
? Daniel Martinez, of Clearwater. He is the son of Julia Martinez, a member of Education Minnesota.
? Mary Pygnasak and Vicki Pygnasak, of St. Cloud. They are daughters of Pang Pygnasak, a member of the Machinists union.
? Suzanne Thompson, of Foley. She is the daughter of Jan Thompson, a member of Education Minnesota.
From Winona State University:
? Kristina Guerrero, of St. Paul. She is the daughter of Arthur Guerrero, a member of the St. Paul Police Federation.
From Minnesota State-Moorhead:
? Anna Pearson, of Farmington. She is the daughter of Terrie Pearson, a member of the Operating Engineers.
? Annah Resman, of Rochester. She is the daughter of Michael and Deborah Resman, members of Education Minnesota Rochester.
From St. Paul Technical College:
? Mary Xiong, of St. Paul. Her spouse, Neng Yang, is a member of GCIU Local 1B.
From Inver Hills Community College:
? Stephanie Xiong, of Rosemount. Her spouse, Vathai Jesse Vue Yang, is a member of United Auto Workers Local 879.
Participants in the dinner, the primary fundraiser for the scholarships, also presented a special recognition award to Bernard Brommer, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO from 1990 to 2001. Brommer has been a strong advocate for public education and was a close friend of Nellie Stone Johnson.
Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org
Share
This year?s Nellie Stone Johnson Scholarship Dinner did more than provide college scholarships to 14 students. The annual event, held March 25 in Bloomington, raised more than $20,000 and attracted more than 300 people.
The fund provides scholarships to students attending Minnesota?s state colleges and universities, who belong to a racial minority group and who have a personal or family connection to a labor union.
The scholarships are given in honor of Johnson, a longtime union, civil rights and political activist in Minnesota who died in 2002 at age 96.
This year?s recipients:
From Metropolitan State University:
? Dorene Adams, of St. Paul. She is the daughter of Cleveland Adams, a member of Teamsters Local 1145.
? Debra Brown, of St. Paul. She is a member of AFSCME Local 3998.
? Donjia Johnson, of St. Paul. She is a member of AFSCME Local 3998.
From St. Cloud State University:
? Rosa Desm, of Brooklyn, N.Y. She is a member of the Communication Workers of America.
? Tadael Emiru, from Ethiopia. He is the son of Lishan Mengistu, a member of the Minnesota Nurses Association.
? Karen Kortgard, of St. Joseph. She and her father, Virgil Anspach, both are members of the Machinists union.
? Daniel Martinez, of Clearwater. He is the son of Julia Martinez, a member of Education Minnesota.
? Mary Pygnasak and Vicki Pygnasak, of St. Cloud. They are daughters of Pang Pygnasak, a member of the Machinists union.
? Suzanne Thompson, of Foley. She is the daughter of Jan Thompson, a member of Education Minnesota.
From Winona State University:
? Kristina Guerrero, of St. Paul. She is the daughter of Arthur Guerrero, a member of the St. Paul Police Federation.
From Minnesota State-Moorhead:
? Anna Pearson, of Farmington. She is the daughter of Terrie Pearson, a member of the Operating Engineers.
? Annah Resman, of Rochester. She is the daughter of Michael and Deborah Resman, members of Education Minnesota Rochester.
From St. Paul Technical College:
? Mary Xiong, of St. Paul. Her spouse, Neng Yang, is a member of GCIU Local 1B.
From Inver Hills Community College:
? Stephanie Xiong, of Rosemount. Her spouse, Vathai Jesse Vue Yang, is a member of United Auto Workers Local 879.
Participants in the dinner, the primary fundraiser for the scholarships, also presented a special recognition award to Bernard Brommer, president of the Minnesota AFL-CIO from 1990 to 2001. Brommer has been a strong advocate for public education and was a close friend of Nellie Stone Johnson.
Adapted from The Union Advocate, the official newspaper of the St. Paul Trades and Labor Assembly. E-mail The Advocate at: advocate@mtn.org