Russell Hill, founding member and past president of the Tamalpais Federation of Teachers, Local 1985, and former editor of California Teacher, had his fourth novel, “Robbie’s Wife,” selected as one of the five finalists for best paperback at the Edgar Awards this month in New York City. The Edgar Awards are sponsored by the Mystery Writers of America. Hill taught English for 40 years and now works as a long-term substitute.

Jim Kelly and Barbara Hanfling, from the San Jose/Evergreen Faculty Association, Local 9157, were honored in Congressional Resolutions for their dedication to union organizing and promoting union values. Kelly is the labor studies coordinator at San Jose City College and Hanfling is the union’s executive director. The office of Congress-woman Zoe Lofgren presented the resolutions April 30 at a screening of the movie North Country sponsored by the Labor Studies Department. The third recipient was Lois Jensen, the subject of the movie, who in 1999 won the first successful sexual harassment class action lawsuit in U.S. history, improving conditions for millions of women in America’s workplaces.

Elaine Merriweather, an early childhood educator, member and treasurer of United Educators of San Francisco, Local 61, and member of the CFT Early Childhood Education Committee, was honored with the Education Activist Award from the San Francisco chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

Vicki Fabbri, a part-time instructor and member of the Cabrillo College Federation of Teachers, Local 4400, was named “Unionist of the Year” and honored at the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council’s Labor Awards Dinner on May 2. Fabbri has served on the union’s Part-Time Committee and negotiations team and as co-vice president.

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