Saint Martin's student honored for outstanding achievement in student activism

Wednesday, June 23, 2004

Lacey, Wash. - Amanda Allard, a criminal justice major who graduated from Saint Martin’s College in May, is the recipient of the college’s Father Jerome Toner, O.S.B., Award.

The award, presented each year by the college’s social science division, honors outstanding achievement in student activism. It bears the name of a monk of Saint Martin’s Abbey who was an internationally recognized labor scholar and activist.

Known as “the labor priest of Saint Martin’s,” Father Jerome authored a groundbreaking study, “The Closed Shop in the American Labor Movement,” and was a grassroots labor organizer among the downtrodden in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was named by President Harry Truman as a delegate to the International Labor Organization conference and shared his insights and concerns about labor issues with both U.S. and Vatican officials. Washington Gov. Albert Rosellini later appointed him to the state’s Human Rights Commission, which he chaired. Although Father Jerome’s work angered many people in power, he persisted in fighting for the dignity and rights of workers throughout his life.

Allard was chosen for the award because she embodies the traits honored by the Father Jerome Toner Award, says David Price, a Saint Martin’s associate professor of sociology and cultural anthropology.

“She is a tireless activist working on campaigns for economic, racial and gender equality,” he said. “Amanda's work with the Saint Martin's Social Action Club focused on peace activism and women's rights.”

Allard is an Olympia resident.

For more information:
David Price Associate professor, sociology/cultural anthropology
360-438-4346 or
dprice@stmartin.edu

Deanna Partlow
Director of communication
360-438-4332 or
hharmon@stmartin.edu