Helen Gym to be honored by White House

Helen Gym, a founder of Parents United for Public Education and a board member of Asian Americans United, is being honored by the White House next week.

Gym has been named a Chesar Chavez Champion of Change - one of 10 community leaders nationally who have "committed themselves to improving the lives of others in their communities and across the country," people who "represent the values and steadfast determination of Cesar Chavez to organize ourselves for a more just tomorrow."

Gym and the other Champions will particpate in a discussion about how to expand opportunities for all Americans, according to a White House news release.

The event, scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, can be streamed live at www.whitehouse.gov/live.

Gym is a former Philadelphia School District teacher, and a longtime activist. She is a founder of the Folk Arts Cultural Treasures Charter School, and helped steer a federal civil rights case against the district that ultimately led to changes in the district's safety policy.