Friend —

The nominations are in. The judges have deliberated. The votes have been counted. And today we are are incredibly excited to share the recipients of 2021’s I’ll Be There Awards!

2021 Awardees

Maria Gomez
Founding Executive Director,
Mary's Center

Aura Cruz Heredia
Organizer,
Sunrise Movement DC

This year’s awardees have gone above and beyond in the effort for economic justice in DC. Founding director of Mary’s Center Maria Gomez has supported the Fair Budget and Excluded Workers campaigns and DC CARES implementation. An organizer with Sunrise Movement DC, Aura Cruz Heredia has been a powerhouse leader on mutual aid and street actions in DC. The Washington Teachers’ Union has stepped up to the unprecedented challenge of COVID and worked to protect the health of both staff and students this year. This year the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) of DC has fought on behalf of tipped and cash economy workers as part of the Excluded Workers and Cancel Rent campaigns. And the Just Recovery Campaign won transformative investments in housing and services in the 2021-2022 DC budget.

We’re grateful to everyone who submitted nominations and shared stories about strike leaders, grassroots activists, high school students and teachers, campaign organizers, shop workers, members of the clergy, and more.

Please join us in celebrating this year's winners and everyone who has been part of our coalition this past year: Get your ticket to the I'll Be There Awards today.

Sincerely,

DC Jobs with Justice

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