Maria Leavey Progressive Activist Award Due B4 4/10/09

Maria Leavey Tribute Award Nominations Open Until Friday, April 10th - Who Would You Nominate?

Nominations are now open for the third annual Maria Leavey Tribute Award, which will be presented at the America's Future Now! conference. The award goes to a person whose tireless, behind-the-scenes work has been critical to the success of the progressive movement in the past year.

The award recipient will be an outstanding progressive who is:

• A Convener who builds connections among diverse members of the progressive movement, cultivating networks of old and new leaders and activists;

• A Persistent Advocate who overcomes obstacles and marches forward with an enduring commitment and passion for social justice;

• A Selfless Organizer who works behind the scenes without seeking the limelight or credit for his or her efforts, while lending credit to others; and

• An Idea Generator who pushes forward creative new ideas, a strong analysis of important issues, or helps build specific new capacities and infrastructure for the progressive movement.

Join us in honoring Maria's memory by heralding the work of those tireless organizers in our midst who light a fire under the rest of us.

Submit your nomination for the Maria Leavey Award here.

Nominating Rules and Process

• Nominations must be received before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, April 10, 2009. Click here for the nomination form.

• The nomination form must address how the nominee has embodied each of the four characteristics of Maria Leavey's work as a convener, an advocate, an organizer and an idea generator. Nominee qualifications must be verifiable by Campaign for America's Future staff.

• A panel of Maria's family, friends and colleagues will review all nominations and select award finalists by mid-April 2009.

• The award winner will be selected and notified before the end of April. At that time, finalists will be asked to supply a photograph, and may be asked to provide additional background information or participate in a brief interview.

• Names of award finalists will be published on the Campaign for America's Future website, along with a brief nominating statement.

• The winning nominee must be available to attend the America's Future Now! conference in Washington from June 1 to 3 to accept his or her award. (Travel and accommodations will be provided.)

• Voting is open to all interested persons, except that staff members and board members of the Campaign for America's Future or Institute for America's Future, and their immediate families, can neither vote nor accept a nomination.

About Maria Leavey:

Maria Leavey never held a staff position with a major organization or media outlet. She worked out of her small apartment in Washington with an outdated computer. But, with incredible determination and skill she managed to build contacts at the highest ranks of Washington's political circles and champion the growth of progressive media, from the burgeoning ranks of progressive radio to the emerging blogosphere.

Maria helped assemble the Campaign for America's Future's historic Progressive Media Row at the Take Back America conference. She was a passionate progressive who understood the importance of talent, humor, a good conversation and a warm meal.

Sadly, after years of selfless service to our progressive movement, Maria passed away on December 31, 2006, at the all-too-young age of 52.

We continue to commemorate Maria's life and spirit, and honor the legacy that she left behind by recognizing other unsung progressive heroes who follow in her footsteps. We cannot have enough Americans striving to be like Maria.

Submit your nomination for the Maria Leavey Award here.