In 1965, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. named Lowery chairman of the delegation to take demands of the historic Selma-to-Montgomery March to Alabama Gov. George Wallace.

In 1998, building on his career as an educator, Chris Pendergast founded Ride for Life, an organization dedicated to informing people about ALS and raising funds for research and support services.

On Friday, delegates viewed a video that outlined NYSUT's role in a groundbreaking conference, "Every Child Counts," that was held last October about ending the gap.

Alarmed by friends who were leaving teaching because of the emphasis on testing, Grammy-winner Tom Chapin turned to song.

Richard Ognibene joined Fairport High School in suburban Rochester in 1992, and is a popular chemistry and physics teacher known for reaching out to students.

This year's School-Related Professionals Member of the Year is Thelma Shaw, a teaching assistant and president of the BOCES Educators of Eastern Suffolk.

A health care professional for 30 years, Cora Shillingford demonstrates excellence in her practice as a home care nurse.

Cermele, recognized in the Professional Staff Congress at CUNY as a great organizer, is chapter leader at New York City College of Technology.

An assistant biology professor, Mezik is vice president of the Herkimer County Community College Professional Association and serves on the negotiating committee

Levine-Rosenthal has been active in the union for more than 35 years. Throughout her in-service career, she held all but the office of president in the Mineola TA.

Soldini served as a delegate with the Alliance for Retired Americans and has lobbied on a number of issues critical to retirees.

Gentile, a member of the UFT, is an educator, unionist and a leader. For the past 30 years she has been deeply involved in school reform at the city, state and national levels with a focus on student achievement.

Collier began her education career in 1978 as a special education teacher in Yonkers schools. She quickly became active in the union and rose through the ranks to her current position: vice president of special areas.