In recognition of a lifetime devoted to advancing equity, empowering women, and transforming education, Dr. Marissa Winmill has been awarded the National Education Association’s Mary Hatwood Futrell Human and Civil Rights Award.
The Mary Hatwood Futrell Award is named for the legendary NEA president and civil rights advocate who championed equal access to education for young women and girls. This year’s honoree, Dr. Marissa Winmill, stands as a powerful successor to Futrell’s legacy—an educator, advocate, and mentor who has dedicated more than 30 years to ensuring all students, especially young women of color, have the tools and support they need to thrive.
Dr. Winmill currently teaches at Kent-Meridian High School in Kent, Washington, where she has launched programs that increase gender representation in underrepresented fields like STEM, including a thriving Girls Who Code club. But her journey—and her impact—extend far beyond any single classroom.
Dr. Winmill’s passion for education was born from personal experience. Raised in the Philippines in a patriarchal society where opportunities for women were limited, she witnessed firsthand the transformational power of learning.
“My grandmother couldn’t vote because she couldn’t read or write. My aunt went to high school at 28. My mother dreamed of being a teacher but couldn’t finish college. For me, education was the key,” Dr. Winmill said. “It became the platform through which I could advocate for women and gender equality.”
Her teaching journey has taken her across the globe—from highly structured schools in the Philippines to underserved communities in Texas, to dynamic classrooms in Washington State. These experiences have shaped her student-centered, equity-driven philosophy.
“I believe we’re not just instructors—we’re talent scouts,” she said. “We’re here to cultivate strengths, to recognize the assets students already bring, especially multilingual and immigrant students.”
At Kent-Meridian High School, Dr. Winmill has made it her mission to open doors for young women—especially those from BIPOC and immigrant communities. After learning about Girls Who Code, she established a local chapter that now serves as a launchpad for girls interested in STEM careers.
“They inspire me every day. This isn’t just about coding—it’s about leadership, confidence, and access,” she said.
In addition to her work in the classroom, Dr. Winmill has served as a board member for six years on the Washington Professional Educator Standards Board, where she advocated and supported efforts to diversify the educator workforce. She has championed data-driven reforms in teacher and principal preparation programs to ensure intentional recruitment of BIPOC women into leadership roles.
Through multiple grants, she has helped sustain professional learning communities like the Refugee Educator Academy, Kent Educators of Color Network, the Puget Sound ESD Educators of Color Leadership Community, and the Filipino American Educators of Washington.
“Affinity groups are powerful,” she said. “They create a sense of belonging and empowerment for educators who have long felt isolated in the system. Many former paraeducators from these programs are now certified teachers.”
Dr. Winmill believes true leadership is about service and uplift—cultivating others and recognizing the potential within every student and educator.
“Do ordinary things with extraordinary love,” she said, quoting Mother Teresa. “That’s how we build something lasting. Leadership isn’t a competition—it’s a collaboration.”
Dr. Winmill shows no signs of slowing down. She continues to lead efforts across Washington State to shape the next generation of educators and students. Her work with professional standards boards, her advocacy for refugee learners, and her community-building initiatives all point to one vision: a more just and inclusive education system.
“This award is more than a recognition—it’s a platform,” she said. “It’s a chance to keep advocating, mentoring, and creating space for more women to lead.”
Dr. Marissa Winmill is not just a champion of equity—she’s a builder of legacies. One student, one teacher, and one powerful story at a time.