Labor Leader Honored by Henning Institute

Photo by Gabrielle Diaz '11

Nearly 100 civic, labor, church and college leaders were on hand in June when Dennis Kelly '66 was honored by the John F. Henning Institute for his service for the "Dignity of Work and the Worker."

Kelly, president of the United Educators of San Francisco and vice president of the California Federation of Teachers, began his teaching career as a special education teacher in the Oakland Unified School District before moving to San Francisco and teaching English in secondary schools for 35 years.

Kelly has been on the executive board of the San Francisco teacher's union since 1971. He was first elected president of United Educators of San Francisco in 2003, and has been re-elected three times.

The Henning honors were for Kelly's "outstanding efforts, as a labor organizer and leader, to promote workers' welfare and to unite workers in shaping the political economy of their local communities, the John F. Henning Institute and (his) alma mater, Saint Mary's College."

A resident of San Francisco, Kelly is married to Hene, a retired teacher who is now active in Democratic politics and the California Association of Retired Americans. They have two children, both in education, Edith Kelly Salvatore, a Spanish teacher; and Nathanael Kelly, a special education classroom aide.

Brother Raphael Patton '63 was the master of ceremonies, and Brother Mel Anderson, Bishop John Cummins, State Senator Mark DeSaulnier and Assemblymembers Nancy Skinner and Joan Buchanan spoke to congratulate Kelly.