Glenn McCabe, Director of Marketing and Communications, United Way of Greater Waterbury commented on Taylor’s selection for the award.  “As Professor of Legal Studies at Naugatuck Valley Community College, Kathy K. Taylor was honored by the United Way because of the effect she has on students and her ability to leverage education to benefit the community.  Now entering her 14th year at NVCC, Kathy continually reminds students of the law’s power and encourages them to think deeply about the many ways in which the past informs the present and shapes the future. Her commitment to improving the lives of those around her is not confined to the classroom.  These are a few of the reasons for which we are proud to present the United Way Organized Labor Community Service Award to Kathy K. Taylor.” 

McCabe noted that Professor Taylor “serves as a board chair of the Connecticut Community Foundation, where she also chairs the Women’s Grant-Making Committee.  When COVID-19 hit, Kathy continued her community engagement.  The Connecticut Community Foundation and the United Way of Greater Waterbury joined together during the pandemic to create the COVID-19 Response Fund. Since March 2020, Kathy has been a part of this bi-weekly committee making decisions about how best to rapidly deploy over $700,000 in funding to community-based organizations at the frontlines of the coronavirus outbreak.  She also serves on the scholarship committee of the American Savings Foundation, awarding scholarships based primarily on financial need with most recipients being first generation college students.”   

Professor Taylor also owns her own consulting business where she advises various school districts, non-profits, and corporations around issues of equity, implicit bias, microaggressions, and how best to cultivate more equitable and inclusive workspaces, schools, and policies.  

Thanking the United Way for noticing her work and blessing her with this award, Taylor commented, “And for all of these blessings, my many rich blessings, I am thankful that God has allowed me to be someone else’s reason for joy, and hope, and peace.  And for that, I am humbled.  Thank you all and thank you to the United Way of Greater Waterbury.” 

“Professor Taylor makes a significant difference in the lives of all whom her efforts touch,” NVCC’s CEO, Lisa Dresdner, Ph.D., stated, “and we feel especially grateful for her work at the college not only in the classroom as a beloved professor, but also in the many ways she contributes to the vitality of the college outside of the classroom. We’re so proud she is being recognized by the United Way of Greater Waterbury!” 

Since 1995 the United Way of Greater Waterbury has presented the United Way Organized Labor Community Service Award to an individual from the organized labor community who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service within their 10-town service area.  The United Way reaches out to the community inviting the nomination of candidates who impact the community in the areas of education, basic needs, and financial stability.  The nominees are reviewed by the Agency’s awards committee.  There are three awards for which the community may submit nominations: 

·       United Way Organized Labor Community Service Award 

·       Frederic & Lucy Kellogg Award 

·       United Way Community Volunteer of the Year Ward