Each year, the Women’s and Fair Practices Departments awards the Augusta Y. Thomas Civil Rights Award to four dedicated trade unionists who exemplify what it means to be true champions for civil, human, women, and workers’ rights in four areas of service:
We encourage AFGE locals, councils, districts, and general members to nominate individuals who are active in their union and who exemplify NVP Emeritus Augusta Y. Thomas’s legacy of fighting for a more just workplace, union, and world. Learn more about Augusta Y. Thomas here.
Come back next year to apply for the 2025-2026 Fredna S. White Memorial Scholarship.
The Fredna S. White Memorial Scholarship Program is named in honor of Fredna S. White, an AFGE trailblazer and champion of human, civil, worker’s, and women’s rights. As an AFGE leader, Fredna served as the chair of the AFGE National Human Rights Committee and the National Women’s Advisory Coordinator for District 10. Fredna was the first woman to serve as president of AFGE Local 1822 in Waco, Texas, and was an active retiree member of the AFGE National VA Council.
These Scholarships are set at $1000 for one year of academic study at an accredited college or university and will be awarded annually to 20 recipients for their exemplary academic achievement, personal accomplishment, and record of community service and engagement.
These Scholarships are not renewable, but applicants may apply every year they are eligible, whether or not they have received an award in the past. The majority of scholarships are awarded for undergraduate study, with occasional awards for graduate study.
To be eligible for the Fredna S. White Memorial Scholarship Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
The Bernice Heffner Outstanding Women's Achievement Award is awarded to one woman-identifying AFGE member at each AFGE Convention for their outstanding leadership and action in promoting AFGE goals on issues affecting women. Nominees must be a member in good standing and their demonstrated service must have occurred within the past three years. District Coordinators, National Officers, National Vice-President and Emeritus Officers are not eligible for nomination.
The A. Philip Randolph-Hubert H. Humphrey Award is awarded to one AFGE member at each AFGE Convention that has demonstrated outstanding service through community activism or in the development of community and/or workplace service programs/policies. District Coordinators, National Officers, National Vice-President and Emeritus Officers are not eligible for nomination.