OSSTF District 11- Thames Valley
Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation

680 Industrial Road, London, Ontario, N5V 1V1
Phone: (519) 659-6588; Fax: (519) 659-2421; Email: osstf11@execulink.com

District 11 is extremely proud that Bryan Smith, our Chair of the Human Rights / Status of Women Committee, was selected as the 2006 recipient of the James Forster Human Rights Award.

His nomination for this award was unanimously endorsed by District Executive Council. Here is the citation that accompanied the  nomination of Bryan for this award:

Bryan Smith has been a strong advocate for Human Rights and he has made an outstanding contribution to the struggle for equity in our society. Bryan has been the Chair of the District 11 Status of Women and Human Rights Committee for many years, and in that role he has been a leader of many initiatives.

Bryan has done much to advance equity for women and to take action on the issue of violence against women. His committee organizes the White Ribbon campaign throughout Thames Valley annually. This effort heightens awareness and raises money for women’s shelters. This year he orchestrated a Poster Contest for our students for the December 6^th Day of Remembrance.

Bryan has done a great deal to promote equity and tolerance within our schools. He has invited in guest speakers like Rich Hitchins on the "Elimination of Hate". He has organized anti-bullying workshops and distributed anti-homophobia literature.

Bryan has also done a great deal to promote global human rights issues. He was very active in the rescue of a Colombian refugee family through the Oxford Coalition of Social Justice. He helped with a Solidarity Fiesta to raise money for this cause. He has organized guest speakers like Marc and Craig Kielberger on Take Action: A Guide to Active Citizenship. He has promoted resources like the Common Threads on sweatshop labour in Central America and the crisis of AIDS in South Africa. Recently, his committee has aided a volunteer group helping to rebuild Sri Lanka, one year after the devastating tsunami.

Bryan has written countless articles on these issues and he provides his committee with amazing resources and his own home made baking and treats!

Bryan demonstrates true social conscience. He possesses genuine commitment as a social activist and tireless energy for many worthwhile causes.

CONGRATULATIONS, BRYAN! DISTRICT 11 IS PROUD OF YOU!