Tom Mooney Memorial Scholarship Fund Seeks Applications for $2,000 Award

The Tom Mooney Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee is seeking applicants for the inaugural scholarship to be awarded in the amount of $2,000. The scholarship is intended to provide an opportunity to a graduating high school senior who plans to pursue a degree in education, history, labor studies or political science.

An applicant must be the child of a member (in good standing) of the Ohio Federation of Teachers or the child of any staff person who is employed by OFT or its locals.

The fund was established to honor Mooney's legacy in public education and union work and to help others pursue his passions for social justice and political action.

Mooney served for six years as the president of the Ohio Federation of Teachers and for 22 years as the president of the Cincinnati Federation of Teachers. During that time, he also was a vice president of the American Federation of Teachers.

Mooney was a strong proponent of greater accountability for charter schools, leading a coalition of education, parent and civic groups that was critical of the widespread academic failure at privately operated charter schools in Ohio. He dedicated his life to increasing teacher resources and raising student outcomes.