Mishawaka resident Rosemarie Bradford recently was honored with the Witt Murphy Outstanding Alumni Award at the annual Indiana University South Bend Division of Labor Studies Recognition Program. Bradford serves as chair of the Labor Students and Alumni Association at IU South Bend.

Bradford is the coordinator of the Michael J. Lawrence Labor in the Schools Program at IU South Bend. She has worked in the Division of Labor Studies since 2000. Prior to coming to IU South Bend she was active with the local chapter of the American Federation of Teachers until 1978 when the Indiana Teachers Association started to represent the South Bend teachers. She became active with the chapter and served on the state assembly of the union.

She graduated from IU South Bend in 1969 and she received a bachelor’s degree in German. She was the first German major on the campus. From 1969 to 1992, she taught German, U.S. history, world history and geography in secondary schools.

Bradford received her master’s degree in secondary education in 1973 and a second bachelor’s degree in labor studies in 1992.

Duncan “Witt” Murphy was the first director of the Labor Studies program at Indiana University. Based in Bloomington, Murphy served as director from its founding in 1953 until his retirement in 1981. The award is presented for outstanding achievements in or significant contributions to organized labor.

Bradford was honored for her contributions to the community and union activities including providing information to middle school and high school students about the labor movement and workers’ rights, and her commitment social issues.