Mother Jones Award for Outstanding Union Activism presented to Jan Dvorak, Missouri NEA Staff (Retired), at the National Staff Organization Representative Assembly in New Orleans in June 2025.
For more than 35 years, Jan Dvorak worked for the Missouri NEA at the Kansas City Regional Office. As a Regional Office Administrative Assistant, she was the first voice many members heard during their time of need. Diligently treating each and every member with empathy and respect. She cared for the educators and support professionals of Missouri, but what many don't know is that she also had another union family she cared for.
Jan is the epitome of what UNION means.
Through her 35+ year career, she was committed to the labor movement. She served her staff union in many roles. She was a force at the bargaining table as the lead negotiations chair. She stood firm through grievances and arbitrations as grievance chair. Her bulldog tenacity was particularly evident when contract violations harmed her union brothers and sisters. She always took time to listen and find solutions as a regional representative. She was committed to passing on the knowledge and skills as a mentor to many.
But, she didn't stop there. She brought the same energy to local grassroots fights in her community. She joined rallies and marches, standing up for unions and social justice.
At the 2025 NSO Representative Assembly in New Orleans, she shared the following:
“It always felt right standing up for my union brothers and sisters with our contract protections and our union rights. We made many strides in furthering the strength, protection, and benefits of our staff. It always felt righteous to defend what was often sorely needed by my fellow staff.”
Her spirit of showing up, speaking out, and fighting for her union family, her MNEA members, and her fellow man makes her the embodiment of the legacy of Mary G. Harris “Mother” Jones.
Images courtesy of NSO, Sydney Slifka, Colorado EA Staff Organization
Mary G. Harris “Mother” Jones
Jones was known for organizing mine workers, empowering women, and never backing down from a fight for justice or workers’ rights. Mother Jones symbolizes the heart and soul of the labor movement.
National Staff Organization
The National Staff Organization represents NEA and its state affiliate staff unions nationwide, serving as a unifying voice for associate and professional staff. Grounded in a commitment to leadership, advocacy, stability and justice, NSO empowers its members to build strong contracts, protect union values and champion the rights of workers nationwide.