June 13, 2008—Jane C. Morris of Wevertown, New York, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship by the Union Plus program. Her father, James J. Morris III, is a member of Local 1043.
Jane’s list of academic honors, extracurricular activities and achievement awards is long. But she’s proudest of a program she started that recovers useable food from local stores and contributes it to a food pantry to help feed hungry families.
Her own family was supported for many years by her father until he was forced to go on disability after a serious on-the-job accident. Her father’s experience helped show Jane that unions are just as important for families now as they have ever been. “I think the union fits right in our governing ways today,” she says. “I believe that having strength in numbers and making your opinions heard and bringing change is a great way to fight injustice.”
Jane is one of 108 students representing 40 unions who were awarded a total of $150,000 in Union Plus scholarships. The awards are granted to students attending a two-year college, four-year college, graduate school or a recognized technical or trade school. Recipients are selected based on academic ability, social awareness, financial need and appreciation of the labor movement. For information on eligibility and to receive notification when the application for 2009’s awards is available, go to www.UnionPlus.org/Scholarships.
