has announced Sara Staley, PhD (2014, Literacy)聽and Bethy Leonardi, PhD (2014, EFPP) as聽this year's Jack and Jean Hodges Big Hearts Award聽winners for their work with , an initiative they co-founded in 2013.
The mission of A Queer Endeavor is to work together with educators and youth聽in creating safe, inclusive, and affirming school spaces.聽Sara and Bethy's film, Breaking the Silence: Honoring the Voices of LGBTQ Youth and Allies in Supporting our Teachers, accompanying practice-focused聽videos, teacher professional development workshops, deep Inquiry Group work with teachers, and community-based action are changing the lives of LGBTQ youth in Boulder County and beyond.聽
According to Out Boulder, the Big Hearts Award celebrates members of the LGBTQ community who have contributed to聽the community in a significant fashion. Inspired by Jean and Jack Hodges whose big hearts compelled them to found PFLAG Boulder, the award was first given to them in 2005 and has been given in their honor each year since:
鈥淚n my role I see the damage that the stigma associated with being lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer causes.聽 Bethy and Sara鈥檚 work addresses the underlying structural framework that perpetuates this stigma is vital to the聽 health of our communities.聽 Systemic change is required 聽if we are ever to live in a world where we are considered equal and full members of society.鈥澛�Mardi Moore, Executive Director, Out Boulder
鈥淏ethy and Sara, through untold hours, have been instrumental in bringing LGBTQ awareness to the University of Colorado鈥檚 School of Education and are leaders in the School of Education鈥檚 efforts to integrate gender and sexual diversity into Teacher Education at CU Boulder. Furthermore, they have in-serviced over 700+ teachers, including teachers from Boulder Valley School District, St. Vrain School District, and Denver school districts.鈥�聽Barb Miller, Manhattan Middle School
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Sara and Bethy's heartful work and action will be honored on May 31st聽at Out Boulder's Garden Party, when Boulder County Clerk and Recorder聽 also will receive the聽Clela Rorex Allies in Action Award for her moral resolve聽in issuing legal same-sex marriage licenses in the face of legal and political challenges.聽
Related Faculty: Sara Staley, Bethy Leonardi