Public Employee Press


50 years serving the people
The union mourns a labor warrior

By MIKE LEE

Long-time activist Shirley Gray, chief of staff of SSEU Local 371 and fierce advocate of workers' rights, passed away on April 30 after a long illness.

Gray served the local in various capacities, including as vice president of grievances and legal services.

Gray was active in the civil rights movement in her native North Carolina while she attended Shaw University. After graduation, she was hired by the city as a Social Worker and joined the union in the midst of the 1967 welfare workers strike.

Later, during her career at the Human Resources Administration, Gray worked her way into leadership roles at both SSEU Local 371 and at the Organization of Staff Analysts, where she was a member for 10 years.

Known for her breadth of institutional knowledge, Shirley Gray mentored generations of dedicated union activists.

Gray served as chief of staff of SSEU Local 371 President Anthony Wells. "Shirley was a fighter for social justice," Wells said. "She not only advocated for union members but also
for the clients we serve. She was a cornerstone of this union."

As a Social Worker, Gray was an advocate for her at-risk clients. As a manager at HRA, Gray played a key role in developing the city's homeless shelter system, and she fought to build support for better and expanded social services.

With a packed audience at DC 37 headquarters, Local 371 on June 6 hosted a celebration of Shirley Gray's life and deep contributions to the union movement.

The event included a moving performance by singer Elmore James, who sang labor classics such as "Joe Hill." The New York City Labor Chorus gave a uplifting performance.

DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido lauded Gray's devoted service to the labor movement.

"This is more than a union," Garrido said. "We are a family, and this family has lost a great fighter. But Shirley lives on in all of us. Not just in the memory of the words we say about her, but in her deeds and in our hearts."

Her niece, Mittie Gray, spoke passionately of her aunt, as she recalled her commitment to helping others and her inspiring spirit. "I spent 31 years as a Social Worker because of my aunt," she said.

After union leaders, colleagues and HRA Commissioner Steve Banks spoke movingly of Gray, workers she had hired while she served in management at the Dept. of Homeless Services gave warm testimonies.

One of them, Eddie Baldwin, summed up the union fighter Shirley Gray, saying "As she said, 'No matter what, hold your head up and keep going'."