Jennifer Parrish of Rochester, Minnesota wins the Vernon K. Krieble Foundation’s 2013 Unsung Hero Award
Jennifer Parrish embodies the spirit of The Vernon K. Krieble Foundation Unsung Hero Award. She is committed to protecting the principles of freedom and works tirelessly to change state and local policy for the better—without the incentive of a paycheck for her work.
The Vernon K. Krieble Foundation awarded a $25,000 check to Jennifer at the State Policy Network’s 21st Anniversary Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City, OK, on Thursday, September 26. Many excellent candidates from around the country were nominated for the award, but Jennifer stood out for her work as an advocate for worker freedom.
For the past eight years, Jennifer has led a statewide coalition that fights against forced unionization of home childcare providers. She regularly hosts trainings to inform providers about compulsory unionism.
Jennifer is also a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of compulsory unionism of childcare providers and other independent business owners. Her legal efforts, in addition to her grassroots and legislative advocacy work, will result in limiting the power of government to intervene in private industry on behalf of special interests.
She was nominated by Annette Meeks, founder and president of Freedom Foundation of Minnesota. In her nomination, Annette said, “Jennifer Parrish organized and continues to lead a ‘David vs. Goliath’ battle against well-funded and highly aggressive government unions in Minnesota. Her unwavering belief in freedom and the sanctity of small businesses to be free from forced unionism makes her an excellent example of the power of one to challenge and change government.”