Inspired by the fact that every 2.5 hours a woman will die of cervical cancer, Tamika Felder, CLUW member and AFSCME District Council 20 steward, created the first national "Beat the Clock" Walk. Tamika is a cervical cancer survivor and founder of Tamika and Friends (TAF), a national not-for-profit dedicated to teaching women about cervical cancer and human papillomvirus (HPV) -- the virus that causes the disease.

The Walk raised money to help fund TAF's awareness/ educational programs that focus on eradicating cervical cancer, celebrated those women who have survived cervical cancer, and honored those women who have lost their lives to the disease.

Additionally, it provided a platform for women to create a network of strength, hope and support.

The largest delegation of walkers was the union delegation, representing the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), including State Vice President, District of Columbia Bonnie Oakes and members of the DC Chapter; AFSCME, including members of DC Council 20, Washington, DC, AFSCME Local 1000, CSEA, New York; headquarters staff; OPEIU; AFGE; AFT; IAM; APWU; NEA; CWA; Musicians and UAW.

CSEA was the largest union delegation, with 50 people. At the closing ceremony, Tamika explained that when she led a program in January for the women's committee of CSEA Local 1000, they made a commitment to charter a bus to get members to the walk. Tamika gave special recognition to Jackie Stanford, chair of the committee, for so successfully following through on her commitment.

Explaining why they came, Stanford said, "Women and men must learn all they can about this type of cancer so that we can help make this type of cancer go away for good. This walk will help to bring nationwide attention to the fight."

The second largest delegation was made up of members of AFSCME District Council 20, Tamika's home council. They were not only there in force, but also donated $300, in addition to the $812 their team collected for registrations.

The CLUW delegation included IAM members Lois Williams from Oklahoma City, OK and Diane Tomevi from Seattle, WA. In DC for their union's legislative conference and the Day of Action on Thursday, they arranged to remain so they could participate in the walk.

Tamika gave special credit to organized labor, saying, "In order to end cervical cancer we have to do what the unions do. We have to band together, make a plan and keep our eyes on the prize."

The event concluded with CLUW/Musicians Union member Christine Baze (founder of Popsmear.org and the Yellow Umbrella Tour) singing the inspiring, chart-topping song, "Survivor."

“To end cervical cancer we have to do what the unions do. We have to band together, make a plan and keep our eyes on the prize.”

--Tamika Felder, the union member who created the "Beat the Clock!" Walk

"As a marshal, it was fantastic to see all the shining, smiling faces walk by ... and the outstanding number of union t-shirts! It was an honor to be part of something so important."
--Shannon Garrett (AFSCME)

Right: Musician Christine Baze, a CLUW member, ended the rally with the song, "Survivor."

CLUW President Marsha Zakowski noted how pleased she was that there was "such a large union turnout," adding, "the numbers of union walkers -- and their level of enthusiasm -- underscores the strong commitment of these women to making certain that no union woman, female relative, or friend of union members ever contracts this deadly disease."

To donate to TAF, click here.

The Coalition of Labor Union Women's cervical cancer program, Cervical Cancer Prevention Works (CCPW), is a partner of TAF. Click here for more information on CCPW and materials focused on union women.