The Progressive Awards Dinner was an outstanding success.

Congratulations to the 2006 Progressive Awardees!

Outstanding Progressive Legislator:

Representative Barbara Fraser, District 83. (Overland and Olivette in St. Louis County)

State Representative Barbara Fraser has built a consistently progressive voting record since her election to the Missouri House in 1998, representing the 83 rd district in St. Louis County. Before going to Jefferson City, she had served 12 years on the University City School Board, Now Barb is a candidate for the 5 th St. Louis County Council District seat in November 2006, where she hopes to carry on her commitment to public service.

Outstanding Progressive Community Organization:

People for Public Schools

Scott Ciafullo, AFT Missouri and Chris Guinther, Missouri NEA

Well-funded out-of-state interests dumped over $426,000 into Missouri in the 2004 election cycle in order to buy a government here that would pass tuition tax-credit vouchers. The proposal would have diverted $40 million in state general revenue to fund vouchers at private schools. People for Public Schools defeated this voucher bill in the 2006 session through building a broad, statewide, pro-public education coalition.

Read the People for Public Schools Historiography here!

Outstanding Progressive Labor Organization:

Give Missourians a Raise, Nancy Cross, SEIU Local 1 MO Division

The federal minimum wage has been frozen at $5.15 since 1997, while the cost of living has gone up about 30%. This group led a initiative petition drive to put a minimum wage increase on the November 2006 ballot, increasing the wage up to $6.50/hour and indexing future increases to inflation. About 120,000 Missourians would see an immediate wage increase if the initiative is passed.

Lifetime Achievement:

Joan Suarez, UNITE-HERE!

Joan spent decades working for the union that is now called UNITE-HERE!, organizing textile and other low-wage workers for fair wages and conditions. Her territory stretched from Missouri to Texas. Joan currently plays a leadership role with the St. Louis chapter of Jobs with Justice and with its Workers Rights Board, continuing her lifelong commitment to fair play for working families.