Perry Awards Spotlight Progressive Leaders in the Capital District

by | Oct 4, 2018 | Press Releases

Local Advocates Recognized at 2018 Jim Perry Leadership Awards

Albany, NY — The 26th annual Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards were held on Thursday evening at The Desmond Hotel in Albany. The awards recognize progressive advocates working toward social change in the community.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York and founding member of both the Working Families Party and Alliance for Quality Education. Scharff, who has served as a Director with Citizen Action for 34 years, will be stepping down at the end of the year. The organization has seen considerable growth under her stewardship, expanding to eight regional chapters and thousands of members statewide.

The award ceremony also recognized Daquetta Jones, a dedicated, visionary leader and Executive Director of YWCA of the Greater Capital Region; Sister Honora Kinney, a faith leader who has worked tirelessly against the cruelties of racism, poverty, militarism, and ecological devastation; Doug Bullock, an Albany County Legislator and community activist who has given his vigorous support for the labor movement and the issues of working people; and HTC Hilton Albany Hotel Workers, who, after a four-month long boycott and picket line, won a contract for the 146 workers at the Hilton Albany hotel.

The Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards are named in honor of Jim Perry, a founding member of the Capital District Chapter of Citizen Action of New York.

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