NEA's Human and Civil Rights Awards

History of the Awards & the Nomination Process

Every year NEA directs a Human and Civil Rights Awards program to honor individuals and affiliates who stand up and defend human and civil rights.

History of the HCR Awards
The NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards program began as an activity of the American Teachers Association (ATA). In 1966, when the ATA merged with the National Education Association (NEA), the two organizations agreed that NEA would continue to sponsor the traditional Awards Dinner at the time of the NEA Representative Assembly.

As conceived by ATA, the awards program honors individuals who have expanded educational opportunities for minority students and educators and improved intergroup relations in the public schools. As implemented by NEA, the awards program continues the ATA tradition by bringing together human and civil rights champions whose leadership and example ensure that human and civil rights will be available to our children and their children.

Call for Nominations
Please help us identify exemplary individuals, organizations, and affiliates to recognize through the 2009 NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards. Please note that you will need to complete two forms: the general nomination form including the organizing form; and the form for the specific award for which you are nominating.

For more information, see the official 2009 Nomination Forms with guidelines for all awards and and the Criteria Eligibility Forms for each of the fifteen award categories.

   Note that nomination forms and documentation must postmarked on or before December 10, 2008.

If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina Williams, in the NEA Human and Civil Rights Department at (202) 822-7709.

Related Links

• Order tickets for the 2008 NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner
• Tips for Completing a Nomination Form
• Meet 3 winners of the 2007 HCR Awards
• Meet 3 winners of the 2006 HCR Awards