American Airlines Recognizes Employees With The Seventh Annual Earl G. Graves Award For Leadership In Diversity
FORT WORTH, Texas, June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines Group has recognized four employees with the 2015 Earl G. Graves Award for Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion for their work in making a lasting impression in the workplace, in the community and as role models in diversity. These employees have made extraordinary efforts to reach out to groups of people within the company and in their surrounding communities, promoting a culture respectful of all genders, races, creeds and abilities.
- Mohamed El-Sharkawy, specialist – Line Maintenance Training, Phoenix
El-Sharkawy has served as Chairman of the Arizona chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations for five years, where he encouraged dialogue, protected civil liberties, empowered American Muslims and built coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding. He was instrumental in starting the interfaith, intercultural Bridges Employee Business Resource Group and played an integral role educating crew members on Muslim etiquette in preparation for the airline's route launch to Tel Aviv, Israel. - Carla Fink, senior analyst – Alliance Sales, Fort Worth
Fink's collaborative style and fluency in Japanese have made her a vital piece of our joint business dealings with our partner Japan Airlines. As part of the Allies in Youth development program, Fink leads trips to Russia and Eastern Europe to raise funds and awareness for orphans and works to help non-English speakers grow and excel. Fink is also the board vice president of the Family Matters Employee Business Resource Group and a key organizer of American's World Diversity Day. - Ed Pizza, senior planner – Tower Operations, Chicago
Pizza was an integral part of the O'Hare Abilities Employee Business Resource Group's mock airport event that gave more than 50 families with autistic children the chance to experience the travel process. Participants went through ticket counter check-in, security, gate announcements, boarding and onboard announcements. Pizza also organized a project to recycle and donate worn American Airlines uniform coats to a local shelter for homeless veterans, and is an active supporter of Boy Scouts of America, where he educates children about recycling. - Varita Shelton, representative – Reservations Planning & Analysis, Raleigh-Durham
Shelton is a key organizer for the annual Adopt-an-Island campaign for Antigua, Haiti and Puerto Rico, which donates items for local assistance organizations and helps refurbish buildings. Shelton is a member of several Employee Business Resource Groups.
Since 2008, American Airlines has been honoring recipients with a diversity award for leadership in honor of Earl G. Graves, a successful African-American businessman, entrepreneur and former board member of previous American Airlines parent company AMR Corp., who showed us that respecting and appreciating each other's differences is the right thing to do and is key to our continued success.
"American Airlines is extremely proud to recognize these employees for exceptional leadership in diversity," said Loral Blinde, American's vice president – Human Resources. "This year's recipients are an integral part of the community and they bring their compassion and desire for inclusion to work every day."
American's long-standing commitment to diversity is part of the company's culture of coordinated, collaborative teamwork and mutual respect and has been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign and the Association of ERGs & Councils. For more information, please visit aa.com/diversity.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for American Airlines and US Airways. Together with regional partners, operating as American Eagle and US Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily flights to 150 countries. This year American topped Fortune Magazine's list of best business turnarounds and its stock joined the S&P 500 index. Connect with American on Twitter @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines.
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SOURCE American Airlines
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