From Merger to Movement: A Legacy of Keeping Hope Alive

Denver-Sixty years ago, in a dimly lit Miami Beach convention center-during a time of nationwide racial turmoil-two men, both educators, contemplated the words on the historic documents they were about to sign. President R. J. Martin, leader of the American Teachers Association (ATA), an organization representing teachers of color during a time of legal segregation, and Richard Batchelder, president of the National Education Association (NEA), were about to take the unprecedented step of joining their two prominent, national organizations together.

After signing the documents, both men rose to their feet. The crowd that had assembled to witness the new beginning began to sing, and The Battle Hymn of the Republic rang out wall to wall. History had been made. Together, they would fight for the improvement of our nation's public education system. The annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards were born out of that merger, and today, and each year since the merger, NEA has proudly honored leaders in the justice and civil rights movement at this event, which is taking place in Denver, Colorado ahead of the NEA's Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly.

"With the stroke of a pen, the National Education Association and the American Teachers Association took a bold stand against racial segregation and inequality and merged into one NEA," said NEA President Becky Pringle. "That merger united Black and White educators in the fight for equal respect, equal access, and equal opportunity, and gave rise to the inclusive, powerful advocate we are today. The legacy endures as we mark the 60th anniversary of the merger, but the work is not done. Discrimination and inequity, coupled with direct attacks on the nation's public education system, continue to threaten the promise of a quality education for every child, and NEA will not rest until justice and opportunity are truly universal."

After the historic signing, the two became one in the name of public education. The annual NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards are inextricably linked to the merger and today, this inspirational program recognizes the exceptional people and organizations that have expanded educational opportunities for students who have been traditionally marginalized, and those who have advanced and expanded human and civil rights in their communities.

This moment is a celebration to acknowledge progress in the movement towards justice nationwide, and to lift positive impacts on the education of all students no matter their gender, ZIP code, or place of birth, and celebrate leaders in racial and social justice and human and civil rights.

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.