NCL Honors TINA.org Executive Director Bonnie Patten

Last week, TINA.org Executive Director Bonnie Patten was presented with the Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award by the National Consumers League (NCL) for TINA.org’s work fighting false and deceptive advertising.

“Bonnie is devoted to promoting honest, fair, and accurate advertising of consumer products and services, and we are delighted to present her with this award to honor her commitment to consumer education and protection,” said John Breyault, NCL vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud.

Former congresswoman Donna Edwards, who presented the award at a gala awards dinner in Washington D.C., added, “Tonight, Bonnie Patten will receive the Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award – an honor named after NCL’s early leader whose tough-as-nails reputation as a fighter for consumer rights and social justice made her one of the country’s most influential reformers of the 20th Century. I couldn’t think of more deserving Florence Kelley honoree than Bonnie, and tonight, on behalf of NCL, I am pleased to present her with this award.”

Florence Kelley was NCL’s first secretary general and an important figure in 20th Century American history. A co-founder of the NAACP, Kelley was involved in a number of social organizations and is recognized for her lifelong work advocating for workers and equality for women and African Americans.

“It’s humbling to receive such an honor from an organization celebrating its 120th anniversary,” said Patten at the ceremony. “I’d like to think in the next 100 years that false advertising and schemes would be eradicated but I don’t think that’s realistic. So instead I hope that TINA.org can be as effective and relevant as NCL is today.”

For more than a century, DC-based NCL has been protecting and promoting social and economic justice for consumers and workers. This year marks the 46th year that the organization has honored leaders in the fight for consumers and workers’ rights.