Awards

In 2024 Emiliana received the J.C. Turner Award for Outstanding Trade Unionist of the Year by the Metropolitan Washington Labor Council AFL-CIO for outstanding commitment to the labor movement in all areas.

Emiliana received the award in large part for her role in leading the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU)'s bargaining program. Her dedication and expertise helped the union grow from a few hundred represented workers to thousands in less than four years.

With her leadership, the union secured over 30 collective bargaining agreements, 22 of them first contracts. Winning for the union's membership annual increases, job security, and a greater voice in the important work that they do. She negotiated the union’s first COVID impact agreements in 2020, leading to dozens of agreements that set workplace standards across the country, and successfully led NPEU through its first strike authorization vote in 2022.

Emiliana continues to work tirelessly to bring more working people into the labor movement and is known as a dedicated and talented trade unionist to all who work with her.

In 2004 Emiliana received the Youth of The Year Award from The National Conference for Community and Justice (NCCJ).

Emiliana received the award for her youth activism and leadership work in social justice and combating prejudice, discrimination, and bias in her community.

In 2003 Emiliana received a Special Commendation from the San Diego City Council.

Emiliana received the commendation for her student activism to build more respect, understanding, and inclusivity in her school and community.