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UALE Summer School Scholarship Winners Share Their Experience
This year CLUW provided four $500 scholarships to CLUW members to attend the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) Women’s Summer Schools that provide leadership, skill-building, networking and educational programs to train and empower women to take on leadership roles in labor organizations. Please read the following words from each of the scholarship winners: “When I first learned that I received a scholarship to the 44th NE Regional Summer School, I was so excited to attend. The camaraderie at the school was instant. We were all here for a common goal, to support and strengthen the power of women in the workplace. In our leadership class, we discussed what our goals were for our union/organization and learned how to put together an action plan. We even got the opportunity to participate in a rally for the BestMarket workers. Several of us held hand-made signs of support, and engaged motorists on the road to take part by honking in support of BestMarket workers. It was the first time I felt like an actual participant in a rally who made a difference, and not merely a spectator. On graduation day... I felt empowered to put my plan into action.” Marilyn J. Wiley, OPEIU, Northeast Summer School “ ...I am proud and filled with gratitude to be a CLUW member. My experience with the UALE Summer School was phenomenal. I got to fellowship with other women in the labor movement. The women sang together, ate together and even had an orderly yet forceful protest for the workers of Best Yet Markets. We as women were able to discuss our challenges at our workplaces and in our unions and came up with solutions and tools to work with. The school empowered the women and gave powerful tools to use when necessary. The school gave us skills in leadership and taught us how to become effective leaders. I shared my experience with many of my family, friends and coworkers.” Wanda L. Harrison, AFSCME, Northeast Summer School “.... This year we were a cohort of labor studies students, staff from the AFL-CIO’s Solidarity Center, government employees and staff from CSEA, AFSCME, SEIU, and tradeswomen from the Carpenters, IBEW, IATSE, as well as staff and employees from other unions and workers centers in NY/NJ. Such a diverse cohort led to a diversity of thought of experiences to share and created such a rich experience for all of us who participated... There was a tribute assembly to Carolyn Jacobson and Lois Gray, an implicit bias workshop, contributions to the Triangle Factory Fire memorial project and a rally for local grocery store employees. Students even participated in an interactive presentation on Labor History that really brought the stories from the past to life. .. ...NY State Senator Jessica Ramos,.. encouraged us to advocate for our communities, neighbors and labor sisters and brothers. UALE Summer School is a once in a lifetime experience to learn and grow in solidarity with sisters and brothers in the labor movement." Jeannette R. Geter, SEIU, Northeast Summer School “... We met from August 1-4, 2019, in Nashville, TN, at the Scarritt Bennett Center. Eighteen (18) women participated in the program, representing States, such as Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, Philadelphia, Wisconsin, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The theme.. was AGITATE, EDUCATE, and ORGANIZE. The goals were: 1. To build relationships with workers and labor unions. 2. To organize and build a stronger workers’ movement. 3. To increase leadership skills. 4. To share knowledge of Southern Women’s labor history. 5. To identify skills and strategies that could be implemented in the participants’ unions…. The presentations were meaningful and challenging…. Looking back, the networking component created a pathway to resources and working relationships.” Diane McMillan, AFT, Southern Summer School
Page Last Updated: Sep 30, 2019 (05:48:53)
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