Loretta Donlon
"Not for Ourselves Alone:" The Sandy Feldman Outstanding Leadership Award
Loretta Donlon
Retiree Council 7
BUFFALO, NY April 2, 2009 - Loretta K. Donlon of Syracuse will receive the New York State United Teachers' highest honor for leadership at the union's 37th Representative Assembly in Buffalo.
Donlon will receive the "Not for Ourselves Alone: The Sandy Feldman Outstanding Leadership Award," named in honor of the former American Federation of Teachers and United Federation of Teachers president who succumbed to breast cancer in 2005. The award recognizes the contributions of women to the education union movement.
Donlon has been an active union advocate throughout her career. Starting first as a building representative in her third year of teaching, Donlon rose through the ranks of the Syracuse Teachers Association, eventually serving as executive vice president and Executive Board member. Loretta was a driving force in the campaign to affiliate the Syracuse TA with NYSUT. She later served as president of the Onondaga County Teachers Association, a position she held until her retirement 10 years ago.
Donlon currently serves as one of three retiree representatives on NYSUT's Board of Directors. Previously, she was the longtime secretary of NYSUT Retiree Council 7. As a retiree, Loretta has become well versed on Medicare Part D regulations; she is part of the NYSUT Speakers Bureau, hosting informational meeting about the Medicare system for both union and non-union groups.
"Loretta's lifelong activism, and the role she played in the early creation of NYSUT, symbolize the true meaning of the lifetime achievement award," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "I, along with the entire NYSUT membership, thank her for her years of dedicated service."
"Loretta is an inspiration to us all - and I am proud to offer my congratulations as she receives this well-deserved recognition," added NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira. "Her contributions, both as an in-service member and as a retiree, are invaluable."
The RA - NYSUT's policy-making convention - begins Thursday, April 2, at the Buffalo-Niagara Convention Center and continues through Saturday, April 4. More than 2,000 delegates, guests and staff are expected to attend.
NYSUT represents more than 600,000 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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