Linda Rutherford Presented with "Little Red Wagon" Award

A surprised Linda Rutherford, Southwest Airlines Vice President for Public Relations and Community Affairs, blushes upon hearing she is the winner of the Friends of Texas Public Schools Annual "Little Red Wagon" Award during a reception at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas on October 17, 2006. This award recognizes a Friends of Texas Public Schools board member or volunteer who has played an instrumental role in the organization’s success by contributing time, talent and treasure -- far beyond any expectations. The award, which is an actual little red wagon on an engraved base, represents Linda’s passionate commitment to helping the Friends of Texas Public Schools get the wagon moving when it was too heavy to pull alone.

“We would not have achieved the success we enjoy today without Linda’s involvement from the very beginning,” said Scott Milder, President and CEO, who presented the award with the help of Southwest's Colleen Barrett, who attended the Friends event to support Linda and the organization. “Linda’s touch is golden. Every time we reach an impasse Linda makes a call or two on our behalf and we are on our way again.

Friends of Texas Public Schools is a non-profit, grassroots organization striving to balance the overwhelmingly negative public school debate with optimistic, factual accounts of success in our schools. By lifting up our public schools as places of triumph and achievement, Friends hopes to restore Texans’ faith in our public school system. “We believe the road to continued improvement is much better paved with optimism,” Milder said. “Just imagine how much more our educators could achieve if we would try lifting their spirits for a change with praise and encouragement, rather than constant criticism.”

Southwest Airlines is a proud sponsor of Friends of Texas Public Schools. To learn more, get involved and join the Friends Network, visit www.fotps.org.