By Rebecca Astorga
John Arthur Penrod, a retired UF English professor who served in the Spanish Civil War and World War II, passed away April 12, 2008, at 94. In remembrance of Penrod’s heroism, The Penrod Award was established shortly after his death by Labor Party members Carol Ordina and Chad Hood, Veterans for Peace members Scott Camil and Sherry Steiner, and United Faculty of Florida member Andy Churchill.
Ann Murray was the first recipient of the Penrod Award in April. Her gallantry does not extend to fighting overseas battles like Penrod did, but Murray doesn’t have to fight in battles to know that she is trying to make a difference.
“I have done a lot of work, largely healthcare reform,” Murray said. “I am working with a group that is trying to provide Medicare for everyone.” Medicare subsidizes the medical bills of people 65 and older and the disabled.
Murray has gone to Washington, D.C., to discuss healthcare reform with state legislators and has led protests for health care reform in Gainesville.
Penrod was a member of the labor union for the Steel Workers Organizing Committee. Following the labor union, Penrod went on to fight in the Spanish Civil War against Spain’s fascist government. He also fought in World War II, working with radical Philippine Huks to foster U.S. removal from the Philippines. He believed in safeguarding human rights through peace and not by waging war. After serving in two wars, Penrod contributed the rest of his life to teaching both at the University of Miami and UF for 30 years, and his discipline in helping others would persist until his passing.
Murray recalls meeting Penrod in New York, saying that “It was a little intimidating” because of his humanitarian efforts like fighting for his country in two wars. Like Penrod, Murray anticipates that her hard work and zealous volunteering enriches the lives of others.
“The Penrod Award has given me the confidence I need in legislating health care and has given me recognition, and being recognized is important in the kind of work that I do,” she said. “I may not see results in my work, but I have faith in progress, and the Penrod Award gives me that reinforcement.”
The Penrod Award has not only given Murray recognition, but it has also provided her with $1,500. She has used and will continue to use that money to travel to cities with single-payer health care reform movements in order to bring back knowledge of how universal health care can benefit the Gainesville community.