Public Employee Press

After a career of protecting our benefits, H&S Plan head retires

Friends, colleagues and family gave a loving tribute to Cynthia Chin-Marshall, who retired in December as administrator of the DC 37 Health & Security Plan.

Chin-Marshall's staff threw a retirement party for her on Jan. 23 at DC 37 headquarters, where they praised her for her devotion in providing members and retirees with one of the most comprehensive union benefit packages in the country.

"We all love and care about you," said Onita Wade, the plan's associate administrator. "We will take care of all of the benefits. You are the best and did your job well."

Audrey A. Browne, the fund's counsel, read a poem, "A Caring Lifetime," describing the compassion and dedication of Chin-Marshall, a Jamaican-born and London-educated social worker who spent 35 years serving at the fund.

"The Health and Security Plan is so valuable to our members," said former DC 37 Executive Director Stanley Hill. "We have had tremendous success over the years. We are lucky we have a tremendous administrative staff."

Barbara Kairson, who retired in January as administrator of the DC 37 Education Fund, said Chin-Marshall's responsibility in overseeing a multi-million dollar operation was very challenging. Chin-Marshall, she told the gathering, handled that task with "grace and dignity."

Viviana Tillman, the assistant director of the Education Fund, praised Chin-Marshall for her work as chair of the DC 37 Black History Committee, which organizes the union's programs during Black History Month in February.

"On behalf of the Council and 1549, I want to thank you," said Eddie Rodriguez, president of District Council 37 and of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549. "You always came through for us."

Hospital Employees Local 420 President Carmen Charles thanked Chin-Marshall for her work on the DC 37 Caribbean Heritage Committee, which Charles chairs.

Chin-Marshall expressed her appreciation to her staff and to former DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, who recommended her appointment as administrator.

Beginning her retirement, Chin-Marshall said she was happy to leave the union knowing she had done her best to protect the benefits of members and retirees.