Public Employee Press

Womens History Month at DC 37

By JANE LaTOUR

Speaking at this year's third Women in the World Summit in New York City, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, "Being a woman in the world means never giving up on yourself, on your potential, on your future. It means getting up, working hard, and putting a country or a community on your back. Women must reject any efforts to marginalize any one of us. We must be fearless."

These themes were woven throughout the Women's History Month programs at DC 37 as union sisters celebrated the contributions of women on many levels. The union's Women's and Caribbean Heritage committees collaborated on a program March 19, which focused on "The Importance of Women's Activism in the Political Landscape." Four speakers shared their stories about how they became active and why it's important to be active. "Our panel of distinguished women defines political activism," said Health and Security Administrator Cynthia Chin-Marshall, who chaired the event.

Learning to lead

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts spoke about participating in meetings when she was starting out. "Those in attendance were mostly males and they never looked at me," she said. She talked about the growing presence women in both the ranks and the leadership of DC 37. "Women are motivated. Most of those going to school are women. The fact of being mothers motivates women. They know we need daycare and other priorities. I am proud of the women - you can work miracles if you really want to," Roberts said.

City Council member Margaret Chin described her role in organizing Asian Americans for Equality in Chinatown. "A lot of the associations in Chinatown were all male. Ten years ago, we organized a women's committee. Women in Chinatown grow up learning about inequality and about how girls are treated," she said. "I was influenced by a slogan from China: 'Women hold up half the sky.' "

"Because of my parents' work and their membership in unions, we were able to move into the middle class," said teachers' union staffer Janella Hinds, the treasurer of the New York City Central Labor Council. Author Chirlane McCray spoke movingly of her background as an African American woman in feminist literary endeavors. "It was a really wonderful thing. We took our personal stories and learned how to translate them into political action," she said.

On March 21, the Local 375 Women's Organizing Committee featured Cornell University economist Linda Barrington, who presented a report on the wage disparity between males and females. She used charts and graphs to highlight the sources of the inequity and pointed out that the gender disparity prevails, within every ethnic group. The committee members presented certificates to 20 members as "Women of Distinction," selected for their leadership and accomplishments, such as mentoring others. "There are a little over 7,000 members in our local," said Committee Chair Jessica Dewberry, "and 1,700 are women."

DC 37 Director of Field Operations Barbara Ingram-Edmonds was invited to address the senior leadership and staff of Brooklyn's Woodhull Hospital and the Health and Hospital Corporation's central Brooklyn healthcare network on March 16. She explained the origins of Women's History Month, and spoke about the status of women in today's labor market, as well as her own journey as a unionist. "As women, while we continue to face the challenges of institutional sexism, racism, economic disparities, health care disparities, and more, we have so much potential to build upon and a rich legacy of leaders in our midst at HHC, in our communities, and in our family trees," she said.

On March 22, Local 1549's Women's and Recreation committees collaborated in staging a fashion show they called "an extravaganza!" Men and women took part and officers, members and staff paraded their finery.

"I think we accomplished something," said Executive Vice President Alma Roper, who came up with the idea for the fashion show as a way to showcase the style and flair of Local 1549. "We had 30 models and it was a lot of fun! We sold over 400 tickets - the turnout was unbelievable," she said. "I just wanted our members to do something beyond work and to be able to have some fun."

As Cyndi Lauper sang in 1983, "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." They also want pay equity, opportunities for growth and leadership, childcare, and more. Speaking about the importance of gathering together in March, Local 371 member Diana Verna, a city Social Worker since 1985, said: "I came to regroup with my DC 37 sisters and to celebrate women in New York City, New York State, and in the global arena."