Our second annual Maria Leavey Tribute Award will be presented at Take Back America 2008 [1]. The award honors an unsung hero of the progressive movement whose behind-the-scenes work and selfless service has made a big contribution to social justice. TBA registrants have already chosen one of these five finalists to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Take Back America 2008 [2] to accept the award.
 
We congratulate all five of these finalists and thank them for the work they are doing for all of us. Here are their brief profiles:

---

MARIA GILARDIN “ I learned from Quakers about radio for and by communities and provide free weekly programs to community radio stations and help build small radio stations for Native Americans and farm workers. ” Described as a self-effacing organizer, Maria Gilardin travels around the country recording the testimony of the voiceless, and of environmental and political activists. Then, through her website, tucradio.org, she offers these recordings to progressive radio stations, dozens of which use them in their broadcasts. Previous programs have included the “new ideas” of such thinkers and leaders as Vandana Shiva, Helen Caldicott and Wendell Berry. She does this on a shoestring budget out of a portable recording studio housed in an old VW bus. She has also sought to set an example of environmental sustainability by building a bale house, where she maintains another recording studio. Maria’s nominee calls her “a critical source of information” and a person who “builds connections people to people throughout the country.”

---

JIM GILLIAM “ Fighting the bad guys is so much more fun than getting rich.  If everyone knew how fun it is, the world would be a much better place. ” At Brave New Films, Jim Gilliam has been building an Internet media infrastructure for the progressive movement, using new technologies to connect, inspire and activate millions. Jim built Brave New Theaters to easily organize tens of thousands of house parties for independent progressive documentaries, connecting more than a million people with a cause to filmmakers with a story. The screenings led to grassroots campaigns against companies such as Wal-Mart and Fox News. Also, his work on Internet videos has been seen by 13 million people on YouTube. His ability to breathe deteriorated so badly he needed a double lung transplant, but he didn’t stop working. Instead, his nominee writes, for more than a year after the transplant, “he worked and never complained with an oxygen bottle strapped to his shoulder, not worrying about his name, credit, or how much sleep he got.” He is currently working on his latest idea, Brave New Films Network, with live and interactive online broadcasts and channels for progressive groups.

---

ALTON ROBINSON “ The reason I do what I do is because I naturally love all people, so it is my nature to do what I can to help all who are in need of help, regardless.” ” Alton Robinson works night and day to improve community life in Norfolk, Va., particularly for the city’s youth. Without funds, Alton creates and implements programs that draw youth away from the streets and into educational activities. He is also a voice for underserved youth and their families at City Hall and at community meetings. Alton is widely known as a person who makes himself available to anyone who is in need. He can be seen walking the streets at all hours, stopping to ask people how they are doing and working across racial lines to organize diverse groups to action. He is a supporter of Indymedia and contributes video and statements regarding harassment by city officials and employees. “Alton really does speak truth to power, literally and consistently,” his nominee writes. “He is a hero to many, as well as a mentor and example of what progressive really means.”

---

GRACIELA SANCHEZ “ I work for social justice because in my barrio, throughout the U.S. and around the world, forces of violence and greed threaten the lives and dignity of women, of working people, of queers, of the old and the young. ” Since 1988, Graciela Sanchez has been the director of the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center in San Antonio, Texas. She’s described as a person with a unique knack for bringing people together across racial, ethnic, gender and sexual orientation lines. Under her direction the center has become the focal point for almost all of the social justice struggles in San Antonio. Under her leadership the center has begun a federal lawsuit and community campaign against a San Antonio ordinance that Graciela says impinges on the free speech of its residents. The law allows the city to give permission to some community groups to march on public streets free of charge while others must pay a fee as high as $15,000. Graciela appears to be a quiet and reserved individual; she does not seek publicity and usually assigns someone else to address the news media. But her nominee says of her, “Her passion for justice is deafening.”

---

NAN STEARNS “ I believe that ordinary citizens have the right, the responsibility and the obligation to stand up and speak out when what is going on in our beloved country is DEAD WRONG. ” Inspired by the women she met during Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign, Nan Stearns vowed to contact 25 of them to start a new group, Women Making a Difference (WMD). She particularly loved the concept of turning the initials “WMD” into something positive. Today, that group has grown to more than 200 women, mostly from southern New Hampshire. WMD provides ways for its members to get involved politically and become educated about the issues and candidates. “Nan operates in the background, has a wonderful way of finding ways to connect people to one another, is full of great ideas for how we can grow and expand our efforts, and is a truly selfless organizer,” her nominee writes. “Nan is irresistible in her enthusiasm and in her desire to help progressive women find the most effective ways to direct their energy and efforts.”

---

 

Maria Leavey Tribute

Watch the video tribute to the life and selfless service of Maria Leavey — the quintessential unsung progressive hero who this award honors. For full-screen video click here. [3]

Award Criteria

The individual who receives the Maria Leavey Award should best embody Maria Leavey's legacy [4] by being:

• A Convener who builds connections among diverse members of the progressive movement, cultivating networks of old and new leaders and activists;
• A Persistent Advocate who overcomes obstacles and marches forward with an enduring commitment and passion for social justice;
• A Selfless Organizer who works behind the scenes without seeking the limelight or credit for his or her efforts, while lending credit to others; and
• An Idea Generator who pushes forward creative new ideas, a strong analysis of important issues, or helps build specific new capacities and infrastructure for the progressive movement.