Hundreds of advocates crowded into a standing-room-only event at the AFL-CIO headquarters last week as the Coalition on Human Needs celebrated its annual Human Needs Hero gala by honoring one of the movement’s foremost leaders on budget, tax, and related battles. 

The event, CHN’s 20th, honored Ellen Nissenbaum, Senior Advisor at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Through Ellen’s four decades of service with CBPP, she has served as a leading strategist in protecting and expanding human needs programs. 

Celebrating Ellen at an enthusiastic awards ceremony (YouTube video of the event here) were Amelia Kegan, Associate General Secretary for Policy and Advocacy for the Friends Committee on National Legislation; Stacy Dean, Carbonell Family Executive Director at the Global Food Institute, George Washington University; and Kit Judge, Associate Director, Policy Reform and Advocacy, for the Annie E. Casey Foundation.  

Eighteen and a half years ago, Amelia found herself interning for Ellen at CBPP, an experience that she said changed her life. Amelia reported undergoing a “vocational conversion experience” during her internship. 

“It was through interning for the Ellen Nissenbaum that I saw the powerful impact social justice advocates could have on Capitol Hill. After that vocation conversion experience, I changed my direction in law school, embraced a new career path, a new career identity,” Amelia said. “It is a calling and that is a privilege. And so, Ellen, for that calling, and for all the ways in which you have mentored and supported me and so many of us here today, truly, thank you and congratulations.” 

Stacy told the audience, “Anyone who has worked with Ellen knows that she is deeply motivated to create a better world, a more just world, as are all of you, a world where mom can take her kids to the doctor, afford to put healthy food on the table, and live in a safe home.” 

“These are not big ambitions but they are a point on the horizon for so many people,” Stacy added. “Her purpose is unwavering and truly inspiring – particularly in a town where motives and objectives can change pretty quickly.” 

And Kit credited Ellen for being “a steadfast advocate for low-income families, leading the field to make us all smarter and better. There have been wins and losses along the way, but Ellen’s knowledge and expertise have been central to efforts for a fairer tax system, better health care for families, and a stronger safety net for families.” 

“The impact Ellen has had on policies to support low-income families simply cannot be overstated,” Kit said. “Safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP and many more, and income supports like EITC and CTC, simply wouldn’t be what they are today without the determined work of Ellen Nissenbaum.” 

This week’s event was emceed by Ellen Teller, Chief Government Affairs Officer at the Food Research & Action Center and Chair of CHN’s Board of Directors. Teller helped set the tone for the evening by acknowledging CHN’s approximately 100 member organizations, other allies, and supporters. 

“Coalition members, friends, and financial supporters have all come together tonight in this intimate and cozy setting to celebrate our continued fight against poverty, systemic racism, food and housing insecurity, voter and census suppression, and so many other injustices that contribute to widening economic inequality and hardship in this country,” Teller said. “The dedication of our community is truly heroic and inspiring and we appreciate you every day – and especially this evening – as we celebrate CHN and our advocate extraordinaire Ellen Nissenbaum.” 

In addition, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) offered his congratulations on video – disappointed he could not escape a busy day on Capitol Hill to be there in person. Senator Booker also offered a Tribute to Ellen Nissenbaum in the Congressional Record earlier this month.  

When it was Ellen Nissenbaum’s turn to speak, she joked that she originally said “no thanks” to Ellen Teller and CHN Executive Director Deborah Weinstein when initially approached about being this year’s Human Needs Hero honoree. 

“I will ask if anyone in the audience has ever successfully said no to Deborah Weinstein or Ellen Teller – because I tried repeatedly to say ‘no thanks’ for this award but failed,” Ellen said. “I agreed to do this for one reason: to raise funds for critical work the small but mighty CHN does. I was confident that with some help, we could raise significant resources – and we did that.” 

(More than that, actually; it was announced during the event that due to the generosity of CHN’s supporters, the amount of money raised more than doubled the previous record for a CHN Human Needs Hero event – hence the standing-room-only crowd. You can still make a donation to honor Ellen on our website.) 

Turning serious, Ellen expressed trepidation at the uncertain future our country faces – no one knows the outcome of the election to come and how it might affect the economic security and health coverage programs that millions of people count on. . 

“Many potential threats, and yet some opportunities could well emerge now,” she said. “And we’ll undoubtedly be called to redouble our efforts and work together in very timely and strategic ways. 

“But it’s the spirit, the ingenuity, the commitment and the talent of you all in this extended CHN community that encourages me, that gives me hope and renewed energy and confidence that we will continue to make a difference – no matter what circumstances and challenges we face.” 

And, Ellen concluded, “it may have been 40 years, but I’m not going anywhere yet!”