We were proud to host the inaugural Multiplying Good ChangeMakers class of Jefferson Award winners at our USW headquarters. The USW has parnered with Multipying Good since 2016 to help celebrate community service, servant leadership and doing good for others
International Vice President for Human Affairs Kevin Mapp welcomed the group, which included the USW's own Brittani Murray, a staffer in the union's Civil and Human Rights Department and member of USW Local 3657. She was named a ChangeMaker Jefferson Award recipient after being nominated for her community activism in the union and across the Pittsburgh region.
"The core of who we are and what we do is making lives better – not just for us, but for everyone. Using our collective voices, brave action and our power, we’ve been able to secure dignity for millions of working families for generations by winning decent wages, health care, safety conditions and retirement security at the bargaining table with employers. But our union doesn’t just work hard in factories and hospitals and schools and offices. We roll up our sleeves and get to work in our communities – Steelworkers indeed have big hearts," Mapp said.
Originally known as “the Nobel Prize for Volunteerism," the Jefferson Awards are the country's highest honor for service. Some Jefferson Award honorees you may know include Harry Belafonte, Oprah Winfrey, Elie Wiesel, Larry Fitzgerald, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Branford Marsalis, Venus Williams, Coach Dawn Staley and three Steelworkers who have taken national prizes: Priscilla Puente of Local 227 in Texas; Marc Scott, a retiree from SOAR Chapter 15-20 in Pennsylvania, and Nancy McCurrach of Local 1944 in Canada. Puente is now on the national Multiplying Good Board of Selectors, representing our union.
"We are honored to celebrate our union members who do amazing works of community service," Mapp said. "Through our daily work and our USW Cares program, we’ve been able to recognize our members, retirees and staff for the life-changing service our union family does in the communities where we live and work."
Multiplying Good's Pittsburgh Director Jodi Klebick thanked the Steelworkers for supporting the organization and being leaders across the country, particularly with developing the youth and working people.
"Through our ChangeMakers platform, we highlight the leadership and service of professionals and community leaders each spring and celebrate the positive change they've brought about in our communities. In honoring their achievements, we elevate the transformative power of their service, inspiring more people to serve and multiplying the impact of their efforts," she said.
Murray was nominated for her work fighting for Black lives, women, LGBTQ rights, and so much more. She served on the board of SisTers PGH, a transgender-centered resource provider and shelter transitioning program. She is a co-founder of OKRA Ethics, a Black-femme-led coalition that facilitates classes and actions. She is also a member of the USW LGBTQ Advisory Committee formed to address queer members’ needs through education, advocacy, and resource support. She is a member of the Allegheny County Black Activist/Organizer Collective who has been instrumental in organizing actions, rallies, and mutual aid initiatives across the county.
Fellow ChangeMakers in the inaugural class are:
• Tiffany Castagno, CEO & Founder of Cephr, LLC
• Tressa Glover, Actress & Host of the Yinz Are Good Podcast
• Nelson Cooper IV, Relationship Manager for PNC Corporate Banking, and Executive Director and Students In Action Advisor of Pittsburgh Hardball Academy
• Bradley Wilkins, AVP Branch Manager and Greater Pittsburgh PRIDE Chair for Key Bank
• Dr. Crystal Smith-Rose, Director, FAME Academy, at the Fund for the Advancement of Minorities Through Education.
• Gabrielle "Gabby" Demarchi, Assistant Director of Community Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh
• Jasmine Cho, Author, Artist, & Cookie Activist at Yummyholic
• Tressa Glover, Actress & Host of the Yinz Are Good Podcast
• Nelson Cooper IV, Relationship Manager for PNC Corporate Banking, and Executive Director and Students In Action Advisor of Pittsburgh Hardball Academy
• Bradley Wilkins, AVP Branch Manager and Greater Pittsburgh PRIDE Chair for Key Bank
• Dr. Crystal Smith-Rose, Director, FAME Academy, at the Fund for the Advancement of Minorities Through Education.
• Gabrielle "Gabby" Demarchi, Assistant Director of Community Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh
• Jasmine Cho, Author, Artist, & Cookie Activist at Yummyholic
Check out our photos from the inspiring event:
