Maple Grove counselor wins Education Minnesota Human Rights Award
For more information, contact:
 |
| Donna Speake |
ST. PAUL, Minn., March 11, 2010: A Maple Grove Senior High School counselor who stood up for the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students when few others would is the winner of the 2010 Education Minnesota Human Rights Award.
Donna Speake battled years of resistance from within her own school administration to help GLBT students gain the same rights as other student organizations at Maple Grove Senior High School.
She was a first-year counselor in 1997 when a student entered her office, told her he was gay and asked for help in starting a support group at the school. That’s how SAGE, Straights and Gays for Equality, was born.
Along with SAGE members, Donna Speake endured years of threats and discrimination. At one point she feared for her job when she declined an administrator’s demand to reveal the names of all students in the group.
The issue of whether SAGE could enjoy the same privileges as other school clubs eventually wound up in court, with the federal court of appeals ruling twice in SAGE’s favor. That three-year court battle finally ended in 2008.
“Donna’s strength and courage are truly inspirational,” said Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher. “For more than a decade, she battled tirelessly against discrimination on behalf of students who needed her help. All of us who believe in equal rights for everyone owe her a debt of gratitude.”
The Education Minnesota Human Rights Award was developed to honor and recognize members who protect and advance the civil and human rights of students and educators. Speake was among several people honored for their work in Minnesota schools at the Education Minnesota Representative Convention March 19 and 20 in Bloomington.
About Education Minnesota
Education Minnesota represents 70,000 professionals working together for excellence in education for all students. Education Minnesota’s members include teachers and educational support professionals in Minnesota’s public school districts, faculty members at Minnesota’s community and technical colleges and University of Minnesota campuses in Duluth and Crookston, retired educators and student teachers. Education Minnesota is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association and AFL-CIO.
March 20, 2010