Awards
Awards
TxCSJ would like to honor the hard work of the social justice warriors out there who are making change in the world. Awards will be presented at the 2023 TCA Professional Growth Conference during the TxCSJ Happy Hour (date/time/location TBD). Nomination applications and documents must be submitted via the online Google forms provided below before the due
date, July 3, 2023.
The 2023 Solmonson Social Justice Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize social justice advocates in the state of Texas and within TxCSJ who exhibit leadership skills. Nominees must be a member of TxCSJ and TCA to be considered for this award.
Criteria includes a person (or persons) who has engaged in social justice and advocacy with a minimum of at least 2 of the following component parts:
- Actively engaged in demonstrated social justice action which is aimed at making the lives of others and/or communities better.
- Engaged in the empowerment of marginalized individuals and/or communities.
- Show leadership in community organizing and systems change that promote human rights and social justice action.
- Demonstrated evidence of ongoing inclusive change in the community/communities within which the individual(s) work. This engagement can include academia but is not solely in academia and includes active engagement in the community.
Each nomination must have two letters of recommendation, detailing the nominee's work and advocacy. Nominations can be submitted through the Google forms link below. The form will have a place to upload two letters of recommendation.
The 2023 Yznaga Founders Award
The purpose of this award is to recognize the unsung warriors of the social justice world. We recognize that many times there is work done behind the scenes that goes unnoticed and we want to notice them.
Criteria includes a person (or persons) who has engaged in social justice and advocacy with a minimum of at least 2 of the following component parts:
- Actively engaged in demonstrated social justice action which is aimed at making the lives of others and/or communities better.
- Engaged in the empowerment of marginalized individuals and/or communities.
- Played a supporting role in community organizing and systems change that promote human rights and social justice action.
- Demonstrated evidence of ongoing inclusive change in the community/communities within which the individual(s) work. This engagement can include academia but is not solely in academia and includes active engagement in the community.
Each nomination must have two letters of recommendation, detailing the nominee's work and advocacy. Nominations can be submitted through the Google forms link below. The form will also have a place to upload two letters of recommendation.
Past Award Winners
2022 Solmonson Social Justice Award Winner
Brianne Rodgers
Brianne is one of the founding members of the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Counselors for Social Justice branch and has served as the President for the last 2 years. She has put significant effort into building the chapter so that students in her counseling program at SMU have a vehicle through which they can learn about social justice, become advocates, and learn how to advocate for themselves and marginalized groups within their communities. She spearheaded establishing the chapter at SMU which included writing a constitution and bylaws, establishing processes and procedures for the chapter, organizing events, recruiting members, and overseeing the general operations of the organization.
2022 Yznaga Founders Award Winner
Kathryn Everest
Kathryn Everest has demonstrated a consistent commitment to issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in her 30-year career as a counselor and numerous leadership positions in the Texas Counseling Association and the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). She not only walks the talk herself, but has taught thousands of counselors, students, and families to move forward in the world with a mission to value all people. Kathryn's most impactful work is in her stewardship of United Voices for Change (UV4C), a student group in Fort Worth ISD, one of the state's largest districts. In addition, Kathryn's voice on the TCA Board as the director of TACES, as a board member of TSCA, and as the school counselor representative on the State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC) modeled for many of us how to question and successfully change systemic authority.
2021 Solmonson Social Justice Award Winner
Michael Lesher
2022 Outstanding Division Award
Texas Counselors for Social Justice
2021 Outstanding Division Award
Texas Counselors for Social Justice
