Worker Institute Executive Director Patricia Campos-Medina is the 2021 recipient of the Civil Rights Champion recognition awarded by the Latino Coalition of New Jersey.

Campos-Medina is a “powerful voice for the excluded particularly laborers and undocumented immigrants,” the coalition said, noting her advocacy for undocumented immigrants through the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund, which seeks to aid families financially destabilized by the pandemic and ineligible for other relief programs.

The organization also highlighted Campos-Medina’s work to protect domestic workers and her ongoing efforts to pass legislation to provide them with labor protections.

“Committee members have watched her develop as an advocate for many years now and we are eager to see what new heights she will reach,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, director of the Latino Coalition of New Jersey “The award is intended not only to acknowledge her accomplishments, but to encourage her future advocacy.”

The award was established in 2017 to honor the efforts of people who promote civil rights in New Jersey.

Campos-Medina said in an interview this week, “I consider it my responsibility to advocate for economic opportunity and equity for all workers. Others did it so that my parents could put their kids through college as low-wage immigrant workers.

“I am only doing what others did for me -- fight for the right of the next generation. This award is just a re-affirmation that I am fortunate to do what I do, and work alongside movement and worker leaders champions.”  

Campos-Medina was recognized on Wednesday by news site ROI-NJ it its “2021 ROI Influencers: People of Color — Difference Makers” for her advocacy on behalf of undocumented workers. Read the story here. 

Mary Catt is the ILR School’s communications director.