Public Employee Press

DC 37 Celebrates Irish Heritage

By JOSEPH LOPEZ



A rich history and proud culture with deep ties to the U.S. labor movement was on display March 7 at District Council 37's 22nd Irish Heritage celebration.

Guests enjoyed a meal of traditional favorites, including corned beef and cabbage and soda bread, while the young performers of the O'Malley Irish Dance Academy thrilled participants with their traditional and contemporary routines. The evening's soundtrack featured live music by the bagpipers of the Fire Dept. Emergency Medical Service Pipes and Drums band and the Brooklyn-based Celtic rockers of The Canny Brothers Band.

The festivities were dedicated to honoring two women named Mary. First was Mary Harris, better known as Mother Jones, who came to the United States from Ireland's County Cork and became an icon of the struggle for workers' rights. "Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living" is one of her many famous sayings.

Honoring this inspirational organizer, Executive Director Lillian Roberts said, "Fighting like hell for the living is what we at DC 37 are all about."

The second Mary of the night was Mary O'Connell, recently retired DC 37 General Counsel and a longstanding member of the Irish Heritage Committee.

"Mary did her homework and always set us on the right track," said Roberts. Excited to be among her union family again, O'Connell said, "Any success that I enjoyed at DC 37 is based on the folks I've had the honor to work with."

Committee chair John Huber, president of Parks Dept. Climbers and Pruners Local 1506, and Vice Chair Bernadette O'Leary Enzmann acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the many people who made the evening a success. A booklet with pictures, recipes, and writings was prepared by Enzmann and given as a take-home gift so every participant could leave with a little something Irish.