Public Employee Press

Sheila Menashe
Top social worker retires

Thirty-three years ago, Sheila Menashe came to DC 37 to build the union’s Municipal Employees Legal Services. April 24 at her retirement party, colleagues fought back tears as they extolled her many accomplishments as the program’s director of social work services. A pint-sized woman with a huge heart and great gifts of intelligence and empathy, Menashe brought to the union a credential-packed resumé in the field of social work and a family history of activism on behalf of social justice.

As an architect of MELS, Menashe put her fingerprints all over it. The pioneering concept of partnering lawyers with social workers gave DC 37 members access to the range of skilled professionals they need to cope with many of the crushing problems people face in urban society. “It’s been exciting since day 1 and it’s still exciting,” she said.

One of the programs closest to her heart deals with the critical issue of domestic violence. “DC 37 has been so responsive,” she said. “The legal and social work staff work hand in hand to manage the problems, from orders of protection to feelings of fear and shame,” she said.

Another program she cares deeply about is DC 37’s Help Our Own Fund. “MELS social work staff planted and nurtured the seeds of this emergency fund for members. Although it’s a small amount of money, it provides a safety net,” said Menashe. “In the beginning, we supported it through bake sales and raffles. We even developed a MELS cookbook!”

On April 24, the MELS social work staff told how Menashe had nurtured their skills and made them better at the difficult jobs they do. “We must always remember that we see our members at their most vulnerable, undergoing great stress,” said Menashe. “I go away feeling very sad to leave,” she said. “But I tell you, when you feel sad, that’s not a bad thing. It means something significant has happened!”