Women’s History Month

Movers and shakers

The DC 37-Cornell Union Women’s Studies Program hosts first reunion.

"It’s my pleasure to welcome you to the first reunion of the DC 37 / Cornell Labor Studies Program for Women. It’s such a pleasure looking at this room,” said Education Fund Administrator Barbara Kairson. So began an exciting evening as many of the 650 graduates of the program shared their stories with old friends.

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts spoke about the program’s beginnings when Cornell educator Barbara Wertheimer approached her back in 1976. “Education and union women needed to come together. That’s the point of a women’s program. I’m happy that our members had the wisdom to participate,” she said.

“Ten years ago, I never would have thought that I would be standing here as the coordinator of this program,” said the Ed Fund’s Rosezetta Johnson, a Cornell program graduate.

Keynote speaker Esta Bigler, Cornell’s Metropolitan District Director, spoke of her own background as the daughter of a union dress cutter and a School Aide in DC 37’s Local 372.

“I grew up in public housing in the Bronx. Girls did not become lawyers then.” She said Eleanor Roosevelt influenced her life through her example as a columnist and a member of the Newspaper Guild. Ms. Roosevelt “was viciously criticized for working and for not knowing her place,” said Ms. Bigler, who went on to get a law degree. “All of you gave me energy and taught me. Women have so much to say and to give.”

Current students such as Michelle Blackstock of Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1549 shared their experiences in the Cornell program. “Now I’m a chief shop steward, and I’ve been running for union office,” she said.
“I made a lot of progress. I was a delegate and I went on to become a 1st vice president. I started the local’s Women’s Committee. You can learn a lot about yourself and about others from this program,” said ’91 grad Sheila Sams of Real Estate Employees Local 1219.

Other graduates became community activists. Susan Madoo, class of ’98 and a member of Court, County and Dept. of Probation Employees Local 1070, spoke about her role as an advocate for parents and children. “When women leave this program, they have a voice. You can stand up for yourself and your community. Now I’m a voice in Bushwick as the president of the PTA and a vice president of the United Parents Association. We empower parents so they can make some academic choices for their children.”

The Cornell program encouraged Local 1549’s Carol Singleton, class of ’01, to reach out and help others. “I work with Teen Challenge to help women who’ve been removed from their homes as a result of domestic violence. The seed was planted at the Cornell program,” she said. Motivated by the reunion, Ms. Singleton decided to return to Cornell for the degree program.

Brooklyn Library Guild Local 1482 President Eileen Muller was also inspired. “I’m looking forward to participating,” she said. Anita Evans of MTA Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1655 is currently enrolled. “Knowledge is power,” she said. “I want to learn more.”

— Jane LaTour