We’re excited to celebrate the 2023 winners at the Kennedy Institute. Senator Kennedy was a champion for working people who always fought for good jobs, full employment, and safe working conditions. Unions are the backbone of our public institutions, and it’s important to celebrate the members who keep our schools, libraries, and colleges running every day.

Senator Kennedy was also a champion of public education. AFT Massachusetts like Senator Kennedy is proud to champion our students.

Every year AFT Massachusetts awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to eligible high school seniors who are dependents of AFT Massachusetts members.

The awards, named in honor of former AFT leaders Kathy Kelley, Albert Shanker and Sandra Feldman, and for long-time AFT Massachusetts field representative Jay Porter, are awarded on the basis of a labor history exam administered by the Massachusetts AFL-CIO. The exam includes questions covering the history and structure of the labor movement in America, legislation affecting American workers, child labor laws, minimum wages, civil rights, safety and more, as well as a 500-word essay based on a current labor issue.