Carole Mahony's second-grade class learned the power of political activism as part of a classroom project urging the adoption of Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman's March 10 birthday as a state holiday. The assignment was inspired by a New York Teacher article last year highlighting a retiree's efforts on behalf of the Tubman holiday. The students wrote dozens of letters to state lawmakers in favor of the proposal, which is before the Legislature.

"In February, I do a big study of the Underground Railroad and I usually focus on Harriet Tubman since she's its most famous conductor," said Mahony, secretary of the Pine Plains Federation of Educators in the Hudson Valley. "I also teach persuasive writing, as part of language arts, and I thought having students write letters in support of the bill would be a good exercise."

The writing exercise underlined the students' individual reactions to the cause, combined with clear identification of the bill. "There are literally thousands of bills in committee and you need to specifically state who the bill's sponsors are," Mahony said.

The result was a couple of political responses. "The students relayed their perspective in a very clear and convincing manner," wrote Sen. Steven Saland, R-Poughkeepsie. "The letters were a thoughtful reflection of their hard work."

Assemblyman Patrick Manning, R-Hopewell Junction, paid a visit to the class, and observed, "The students inspired me to take a closer look at the bill."

The bill is sponsored by several legislators and passed the Assembly in June, said Assemblyman Arthur Eve, D-Buffalo. Senate sponsor Mike Nozzolio, R-Seneca Falls, plans to reintroduce the bill next year.

NYSUT.org. Copyright New York State United Teachers. 800 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, New York, 12110-2455. 518.213.6000. http://www.nysut.org. For questions about this web site, contact the webmaster at bthomas@nysutmail.org.