Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/348932
AEA Advocate x Fall 2014 15 WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! • WE ARE AEA! On April 3, 2014, the White House honored nine grassroots leaders taking critical steps in their communities to reduce gun violence. Among these nine extraordinary individuals is one of our own – Pam Simon. AEA-Retired member and past Marana EA president, Pam Simon served as the Community Outreach Coordinator for Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords following a career of two decades teaching middle and high school. On January 8, 2011, while staffing the congresswoman at a Congress on Your Corner event at a local grocery store, Simon was shot in the arm and the chest. Twelve others including the congresswoman were wounded and six people died on that day. Upon retiring from the congressional office, Simon helped launch the Mayors Against Illegal Guns' Demand a Plan initiative that asked the presidential candidates to offer a plan to reduce gun violence. Since that time she has spoken out in news media interviews, documentaries, rallies, forums, survivor events, and speaking engagements. She has worked with numerous organizations including Moms Demand Action, Arizonans for Gun Safety, MomsRising, Organizing for Action, Tucson Community Against Gun Violence, and Americans For Responsible Solutions as a voice for common sense gun legislation. Simon has traveled extensively to meet with local, state and national leaders to share her story of survival and to seek ways to reduce the national epidemic of gun violence. She is currently writing a memoir about her experience with violence and the healing power of speaking out for change. Below is an article written by Pam Simon about her story reprinted from the White House blog. For more information about the Champions of Change program, visit www. whitehouse.gov/champions. aea-retIred MeMber hOnOred aS ChaMpIOn Of Change by WhIte hOuSe 2014 nea pOlItICal aCtIvISt Of the year fInalISt: arIzOna'S paul lOWeS by Gilbert Nuñez & Félix Pérez Reprinted from the NEA Education Votes website at edvotes.org. This is one of four profiles of the finalists for the 2014 NEA Political Activist of the Year award. The finalists were chosen based on the amount and quality of political activism they've undertaken in the past year. Delegates at this year's NEA Representative Assembly, held in Denver, chose the Political Activist of the Year. The finalists are the cream of the crop, leading the way in election campaigns and legislative advocacy efforts through actions such as sending letters and emails to elected officials, calling fellow members, and knocking on doors to speak up for their students and public education. An International Baccalaureate program teacher at North High School in Phoenix for 23 years, Paul Lowes is driven by his passion — for his students and their families, his colleagues, his community, his local association and his profession. When it comes to political activism, Lowes is a jack of all trades. He has organized "Days of Action" that included phone banking and canvassing for state legislative races. He has formed partnerships with educators in neighboring school districts, and among parents, administrators and businesses. He has recruited candidates for school board races and managed their campaigns. He organized a campaign to pass a local school bond and capital override election. And he has attended countless rallies on behalf of education. Through it all Lowes has kept his eyes focused not on the campaign of the moment but on building community and inter-district connections that serve students. "I can't say Continued on page 31 PA M SIMON PAUL LOWES Continued on page 31