Minnesota Senate President Jeremy Miller was recently honored with the Betty Bednarczyk Courage Award by Service Employee International Union’s (SEIU) Healthcare Minnesota arm. Senator Miller was selected for his advocacy of worker protections during the Covid pandemic; particularly for his work spearheading negotiations that resulted in presumptive workers’ compensation coverage for home care workers and other workers on the frontlines of the Covid battle.

“It is an incredible, humbling honor to receive an award named for such an inspirational person,” said Senator Miller. “Betty inspired others to be leaders, and she made a difference in the lives of countless people across Minnesota. I want to express my deepest gratitude to SEIU Healthcare Minnesota for this honor, and for all of the sacrifices they make each day to keep the rest of us safe and healthy.”

The award is named for Betty Bednarczyk, the pioneering former secretary-treasurer for SEIU who began her illustrious career with SEIU in the 1960s. She passed away in 2013. It is the most prestigious award that SEIU awards to non-members.