NJCA 2024 Distinguished Honorees:
Rutgers AAUP-AFT, Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union, and Rutgers AAUP BHSNJ for their collaborative campaign to fight for salary increases, greater job security, and equal pay for equal work for 9,000 of Rutgers University’s faculty and graduate students across all the campuses in New Jersey. Their courage and commitment led to the first strike of academics in history at Rutgers University - one of the largest strikes in American educational history.
Ryan Haygood, Esq., President & CEO, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, for leading an inspiring and successful reform movement for racial equity and justice in New Jersey that has expanded economic equity, democratic participation, and civil rights for Black and Brown communities. This movement has also sparked and sustained statewide dialogue about the importance of reparations in New Jersey.
TD Bank, for leading the way in its commitment to New Jersey’s low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color, with ongoing investments in affordable homeownership, community development, and small business financing. These critical investments promote financial inclusion and economic equity across the Garden State.
Our Lifetime Achievement Award Honoree:
The Honorable Mila Jasey, Assemblywoman for New Jersey's 27th Legislative District, for her sustained commitment to, and her outstanding achievements in, public service as a nurse, a school board member, and for 16 years as Assemblywoman representing New Jersey's 27th Legislative District. Assemblywoman Jasey dedicated her life and career to improving the quality, access, and services in New Jersey's K- 12 public schools and institutions of higher education.
Our Evanoff-Shuchter for Organizing Award Honoree:
Judy Danella, President, USW Local 4-200, for her tireless and steadfast leadership of the courageous and dedicated nurses of Robert Wood Johnson Barnabas Hospital Local 4-200 whose challenge of unfair labor practices culminated in a 4-month strike. This strike secured the state's only contract with safe staffing standards to protect hospital workers and patients and improve the quality of care.
Our 2024 Legislator of the Year:
The Honorable John McKeon, Senator for New Jersey's 27th Legislative District, for his leadership and advocacy in passing one of the nation’s strongest prescription drug pricing reforms through the New Jersey Legislature against dauting political headwinds. We also recognize the Senator's dedication as a tireless public servant and his unending efforts in championing strong environmental standards for New Jersey.
NJCA's Reclaiming our Democracy Award Honorees:
Flavio Komuves, Esq., Yael Bromberg, Esq. & Brett Pugach, Esq. for their legal leadership that led to the abolishment of the county line on all Democratic ballots in the 2024 primary election and an anticipated permanent end of the line in all New Jersey ballots. The reform will help transform New Jersey’s democracy by giving power back to voters and opening up more opportunities for candidates with diverse backgrounds to run successfully for political office.