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AND THE 2007 Nilan Scholarship Winner is :
Joan Anderson
Mertz of Lincoln, Nebraska
Joan—Anderson Mertz - a member of the Lincoln Nebraska local Auxiliary has been
awarded the 2007 Nilan Continuing Education Scholarship. The seven hundred
fifty dollar award will help her in the pursuit of a Masters of Arts Degree in
Special Education, Anderson-Mertz is attending the University of Nebraska
Lincoln. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1982.
She is married to Lincoln APWU member Greg Mertz. They have one daughter
Katrina. She is also the daughter of a steamfitter - so being part of a union
family is a part of her personal history. She is currently working as a part
time para—educator.
According to Anderson-Mertz, “I want to make a difference in the Special
Education field, I want to Heighten awareness of the abilities of the mentally
and physically challenged.”
Congratulations
to Joan Anderson-Mertz - the 2007 Nilan Scholarship Winner. Read her essay
entitled, "As President of the United States, What would you do to help organized
labor:
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If
I were President, there are two things I would do immediately.
First I would support the
Employee Free Choice Act
currently in Congress. In doing so, I would bring to light many things
of which most Americans are unaware, such as the intimidation and
threats against employees who attempt to establish a union, including
being fired. This goes completely against American values. Naturally,
my sense of “American values” often contradicts those held by the
current resident of the White House.
Second, I would use the Department of Justice to be active in employing
current antitrust laws. This administration allowed the mergers of too
many corporations.
How does this affect organized labor? The wealth of this nation and the
power it brings is being held by the few. The concentration of this
wealth allows the corporations time to “wait out” unionism.
It is similar to the Wal-Mart effect. A new Wal-Mart can bring below
cost prices and run in debt because the corporation as a whole can
afford this short term burden. As the smaller stores close, Wal-Mart
becomes the only game in town. They now have the power to do as they
please.
We have seen this kind of consolidation recently in the American Auto,
energy, and temecommunications industries. It is not only bad for
organized labor, it is bad for the economy as a whole. How many skilled
jobs have been exported? It began with steel and continuing today
driven by greed and profit. |
The Nilan Scholarship if funded through the
National Auxiliary “ Book of Memories” established a living memorial to
deceased Auxiliary family members. Donations from State and Local Auxiliaries as
well as other private
donation also support it. And with the continuing help the National Auxiliary
intends to continue Auxiliary Scholarships as long as there is a need. The
Nilan Scholarship is awarded annually through an application process for
continuing education. Applications are available on this website and from
the Auxiliary Chairperson Clara Hill ,
2710 Waverly, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921 - or you can email her at
wavechill@aol.com
2007 Application in
Adobe PDF format -
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Nilan
Scholarship Winners - |
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2007 |
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Lincoln, Nebraska |
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2006 |
Jenna Wong |
Daly City California |
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2005 |
Jenna Wong |
Daly City, California |
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2004 |
Melinda Lowry |
Mansfield, Ohio |
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2003 |
Kim Merow |
Springfield, Oregon |
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2002 |
Theodora (Erica) Mitchell |
Sutton, Nebraska |
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2001 |
Yolanda Vidal |
San Antonio, Texas |
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2000 |
Jason Hendrickson |
Twin Falls, Idaho |
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1999 |
Amy Lovell |
Bumpus Mills, Tennessee |
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1998 |
Terri L Major |
Auburn, Washington |
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1997 |
Edna Burt |
Casper Wyoming |
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1996 |
J. Mark Kirkwood |
Provo, Utah |
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1995 |
Judith Neff |
Phoenix, Arizona |
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1994 |
Not awarded |
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1993 |
Michelle A Willard |
Florissant, Missouri |
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1992 |
Delores Smith |
Gainesville, GA |
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1991 |
Jennifer Thomas Marks |
Aberdeen, South Dakota |
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1990 |
Ruby McGartland |
Quincy, Illinois |
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The
Auxiliary to the American Postal Workers Union