Ellen Redmond, the IO Political Representative of the 3rd District.
On Saturday, April 23rd, Local 3, the Educational and Cultural Trust Fund, the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. Memorial Association and the Amber Light Society proudly hosted a Celebration of Women in the Labor Movement at the Joint Industry Board. About 275 attendees spent the day reflecting on the lives of women in labor history while also celebrating our own amazing women in Local 3.
The day was packed with inspiration from ranking women in the labor movement, beginning with greetings from AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler and guest speaker Sherilyn Wright, Executive Secretary to the International President of the IBEW.
From our IBEW International staff, Ellen Redmond, the IO Political Representative of the 3rd District, spoke about women’s suffrage and the importance of voting. Amanda Pacheco, Director of Education, engaged the audience with the question of ongoing learning and the difference it can make in a career.
The keynote speaker for the conference came from our own great city: Public Advocate Letitia James gave a dynamic address focusing on the need to get wage parity for women.
In addition to formal speeches, the day held several other events that brought women’s history home through images, songs and performance.
Refreshing our memories on a local tragedy that sparked the push for better working conditions, the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition gave a multimedia lecture on the details of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the political repercussions afterward.
The Working Theater performed “The Ballad of Ella May,” a retelling of the life and death of labor activist Ella May Wiggins. While living in North Carolina, Ms. Wiggins joined the National Textile Workers Union and tried to organize textile mills in the South. Ms. Wiggins was shot and killed during a strike, orphaning her five living children.
Desserts for the event were generously donated by the Lewis Howard Latimer Progressive Association.
The 2016 Womens’ Conference was a great success.
