Democracy In Albany

Honoring Local Activists

Shamshad Ahmad, Geneva Conway, Stephen Winters, & Lawrence Wittner

Wednesday, November 14th at 6:00 pm

The State Room Banquet Hall (formerly the Dewitt-Clinton Ballroom)

142 State Street
Albany, NY

About the Honorees

Geneva Conway (Mother Conway)

Ms. Conway is a long time community activist and leader in Albany. Geneva was one of the early supporters of David Soares and worked tirelessly on his campaign - petitioning, canvassing, and get out the vote operations. She also played a key role in Corey Ellis' campaign for City Council. She is a founding member of the Albany Community Accountability Board and is a regular part of the training for new members where she gives the key motivational presentation. She is rock solid in her political commitments. She is a leader in her church community at Wilborn Temple. She is involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation and AARP, where she worked to preserve social security. She has been involved in community activities and grassroots activism in a multitude of ways over the past fifty years. Her work exemplifies the spirit of Jim Perry, progressive activism, and building coalitions across communities.

Stephen Winters

Mr. Stephen Winters has been an incredible asset to the Capital Area Council of Churches in a variety of roles, all of which have been in relation to enabling those least able in our society.  He gave fine leadership to the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, a shelter started by the Council, and he has been a primary architect of the Emergency Overflow Shelter. He has served for many years on the Action & Program Commission, most recently completing two years as its Co-Chair. Stephen has distinguished himself as an advocate of note for the least, the last, and the lost, and he has been tireless in his efforts on behalf of the poor, the AIDS-afflicted, the gay-lesbian community, the elderly, and a host of others who struggle daily with life's circumstances.
He is a man whose depth of faith and spirit of compassion together make of him a model worthy of emulation.  

Stephen is a member of the RFK Democratic Club, is President of the Second Avenue Neighborhood Association, and still finds times to drop in on and keep in touch with some of his elderly neighbors who are alone. He has worked for the Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless as Executive Director, South End Improvement Corporation, Board Member of United Tenants, works with ARISE and the Council of Churches, volunteers with Honest Weight Co-op, is a member of CANA, South End Action Committee, and a Democratic Committee person in the First Ward.

Professor Lawrence S. (Larry) Wittner    

Mr. Wittner has been a leader in the peace movement and the progressive wing of the labor movement in the Capital District for many years.   He is Professor of History at SUNY   Albany, popular with students, and an officer of United University Professions (UUP), the SUNY faculty/staff union, and a leader of the Capital District Solidarity Committee.
Larry has been a vice president of the Albany chapter of UUP, and served on its executive committee for the past 28 years, and was the first Chair of statewide UUP's Solidarity Committee, and for decades as a delegate to UUP's statewide conventions and as an Albany UUP delegate to the Albany County Central Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

Larry is an award-winning author, has written and/or edited ten books and hundreds of published articles and book reviews.  He is also a past co-editor of PEACE & CHANGE, a leading peace research journal. He recently co-edited the 50th Anniversary Anthology for Peace Action, the national peace organization with the largest membership.  He also is a member of the Peace Action national board  

Larry was a past president of the Peace History Society (an affiliate of the American Historical Association) and served on its Executive Committee for decades. He also served as a past chair of the Peace History Commission of the International Peace Research Association.  He has been an invited speaker at events held all over the world, including conferences at the Norwegian Nobel Institute and at the United Nations, and in Japan at Hiroshima memorial events,

Larry also participates in election campaigns for progressive candidates (e.g., Nancy Burton, David Soares, and Doug Bullock) and performs, instrumentally and vocally, at peace and social justice events with the Solidarity Singers.

Dr. Shamshad Ahmad

Dr. Shamshad Ahmad is a physics professor at SUNY Albany, is President of the Masjid-As-Salaam Mosque in Albany, and is a leading member of the Muslim Solidarity Committee. He has spoken eloquently at countless press conferences, vigils and rallies, and has been interviewed by many television stations and newspapers. In addition he was featured in a PBS documentary on the case entitled Security Versus Liberty which aired April 20, 2006.

Shamshad has also organized several dinners and other events to bring together Muslims and non-Muslims so that we can learn from each other rather than fear each other, and work together to prevent future government targeting of law-abiding Muslims.

Dr. Shamshad Ahmad has played a leading role in the local efforts to organize Muslims and non-Muslims in response to the post 911 climate of fear and intimidation.

For more information, please contact Capital District Organizer, Kathleen Campbell at:
518.465.4600 ext.115 or
kcampbell(at)citizenactionny.org

Link to Citizen Action Home Page and online registration: