Two DC 37 Retirees Association leaders 1st Vice President
Audrey Iszard and Vice President for Publicity and Public Relations
Norman O. Davis recently received high honors.
Mr. Davis won kudos from the New York Metropolitan Chapter of the
American Society for Public Administration for his dedication to
volunteerism. The Joint Public Affairs Committee recognized Ms.
Iszards outstanding work fighting for senior rights.
Ms. Iszard received the Dorothy Epstein/Institute for Senior Action
Legacy Award July 21 at a citywide JPAC meeting. She was salutatorian
of her graduating class at the Institute, which trains seniors in
political and social action techniques, such as organizing demonstrations,
lobbying and using the media.
Ms. Iszard won praise for her contributions to the school, which
include recruiting 23 graduates. Many members of the Retirees Association
have attended. The award is named for IFSA founder Dorothy Epstein,
who cited Ms. Iszard as a fighter for social justice.
In the 1930s, Ms. Epstein organized a local that helped found DC
37s national union, AFSCME. Todays SSEU Local 371 descended
from that union, and 70 years later Ms. Epstein is still organizing.
Mr. Davis received the Outstanding Contributor to Volunteerism
award June 11 at the ASPAs annual dinner. I have given
whatever and whenever any assistance I could, said Mr. Davis.
Other honorees included City Comptroller William C. Thompson and
City Council member Gale Brewer.
Mr. Davis recalled that as a union leader and co-worker, he never
hesitated to offer support to colleagues at the Parks Dept. He said
his greatest rewards come from helping people advance their careers
or resolve personal problems. It was all about giving of myself
to enrich anothers life.