Values and Visions, Building the Foundations

We are todays Leaders! 

We are here building and strengthening our foundations to, "Be Better”. 

One must ask, Where do i start?  

It starts with us! It starts with and idea to build a better place for us all. A “value” that runs deep in ones soul to make a difference.

Here at UALE Summer School for Union Women we are working to do just that. Networking with other sisters, building our leadership skills thru our instructors, and sharing experiences with each other so we can build stronger foundations to reach our Visions of tomorrow. 

 What is your Vision for a better tomorrow?

A Net that Works: Creating Networks that Last

 A Net that Works: Creating Networks that Last

Today during general session we had a wonderful discussion about power, bias, race and the labor movement. Our two presenters, Carmen and Tiffany presented us with information about how as individuals and as a movement how we can address racial issues in our community and the U.S. It is wonderful to hear from two African American woman leaders about the issues that we face today and how to start important conversations. As we al are, we are committed to making sure that are are connected to the issues that matter. Making sure that we are educated about these things are essential to keeping up with staying connected in our communities, unions, worker centers and organizations. Thank you to AFL-CIO and Summer School for such a won

derful opportunity!

Nosotros hermanas hispanas de labor... Our Hispanic sisters in labor

Sister Reynalda explains the structure of New Labor
Hermana Reynalda explica la structura de Nueva Labor

Interpretación simultáneamente en español y inglés
Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish and English 

The leadership class of Jessica Govea is one of the most inclusive classes I have ever been in. We have members of New Labor from New Jersey as well as the Brazilian Work Center in Connecticut who speak nothing but Spanish or have limited English.  We also have bilingual sisters in the room. Our instructors are amazing in that both are bilingual. We have two amazing translators who translate simultaneously with instruction not only for the benefit of our Spanish-speaking sisters but when the instructor is teaching in Spanish, they also translate into English for those who don't speak Spanish.  This class is not only inclusive of language, but it is also inclusive of the many types of organizations that are working hard to bring workers together in solidarity.

La clase de liderazgo de Jessica Govea es una de las clases más inclusivas que he estado . Tenemos miembros de New Labor de Nueva Jersey , así como el Centro de Trabajo de Brasil en Connecticut que hablan nada más que español o han limitado Inglés . También tenemos hermanas bilingües en la habitación. Nuestros instructores son increíbles en que ambos son bilingües. Tenemos dos traductores sorprendentes que traducen de forma simultánea con la instrucción no sólo para el beneficio de nuestros hermanos de habla hispana , pero cuando el instructor está enseñando en español , sino que también se traducen en Inglés para aquellos que no hablan español . Esta clase no sólo es inclusivo del lenguaje , sino que también incluye a los muchos tipos de organizaciones que están trabajando duro para traer trabajadores juntos en la solidaridad.

My new friend and sister...

My new friend and sister…

This is how every introduction of someone we just got to know in our Sunday morning leadership class began. What powerful words for so many reasons! On Saturday, most of us walked in Summer School for Women in Unions and Workers Organizations at Rutgers University complete strangers. Less than 24 hours later, it was clear that we truly were sisters. We come from different backgrounds, different unions and organizations, different states and even different countries. We are of various ages, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientation and work. The roads we took may be different, but for most of us, we share an ultimate destination: peace, justice, fairness, equality, freedom – a better life for us and our families. We’re united in our quest to make ourselves smarter, stronger and more confident. We’ve committed to bringing others up as we rise. We’re bonding over similar struggles: time away from home, seemingly overwhelming obstacles at work and in society; unjust and unfair roadblocks manifesting in the form of sexism, racism or other discrimination, and exciting but sometimes scary twists and turns ahead. In just a day, I’ve met some of the most badass women I’ve ever known, and I’ve known a lot! Sisters like my new friend and sister Melinda Hayward shown here. She’s a fellow single mommy, church volunteer and new union leader who juggles one day off a week, a six-hour commute and being mama with a burning desire to be a leader in our movement. A member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees union, she climbs steel rigs and sets up music concerts for living – thriving in a male-dominated industry. Like I said, badass. Meeting Melinda and so many other incredible women has reminded me about why I do what I do, and it’s fueled my soul with inspiration. So while most of us walked in Rutgers complete strangers, it’s clear to me that we’ll be leaving here as family: new friends and sisters who will continue to support each other, lift each other up and work together as we change the world.

Greetings Sisters, Past and Present, 

   

 We are here, kicking off the 41st NE UALE 2016 Sisters Summer School, at

 

  Rutgers

         University of NJ 

     New Brunswick Campus.

New, and old members, alike, have skillfully made there way thru their first day of classes, and the rain we had all been experiencing the past few days. Hopefully, it has past.

 Sisters, don’t forget to keep track of your umbrellas!

In case we haven’t met yet, my name is, Melinda Hayward. 

 I am a member with, IATSE -Local One, International Alliance Theatrical Stagehand Employees. 

 There are 6 more of my IATSE sisters here. WHOOT!

 Its been such a pleasure, truly meeting many of you fascinating Ladies, hearing so many of your experiences that which have been great learning experiences and beneficial additions to each classes discussions.  Thank you for sharing.

This my first blogging effort so please bear with me, and Share pictures, and comments often. 

 In Solidarity, 

Summer School Has Begun

It was a rainy day to kick off the the 41st School, but spirits and sisterhood love was high.  At our opening ceremony, Sister Donna gave a in-depth history of the School and we got to see pictures of Schools dating back many years along with a video of Sister Ida speaking to the participants the one year she could not attend due to being in the hospital recovering from cancer. Sister Lois Gray celebrated Sister Ida's legacy to Labor, Civil Rights, Women Activism, and to the School with a heartfelt tribute. It is impossible to believe she is not here with us this year, opening the School with her message, to put down ladders for other sisters, and to never let another sister walk alone. But, as Sister Susan said earlier, "She IS here." Yes she is.

Sister Ida put down ladders for all of us, and passed the torch with generosity and relentless energy. We closed tonight with the song we always sing, one of Ida's favorite, "Solidarity Forever." 

Welcome to the 41st UALE Northeast Summer School for Women in Unions and Worker Organizations

Hi Sisters,
We are about to embrace another Summer School hosted at the Labor Education Center at Rutgers. The coordinators have been working many months to deliver a fantastic program.  Throughout the week, participants will have an opportunity to write and create articles for the Summer School Blog, Sister Solidarity.  On the first day of class, your Leaderships Skills instructors will share information about how to become a blogger. Bloggers will meet every day during lunch in the Neilson Dining Hall to review assignments, brainstorm ideas, share helpful tips, share progress on articles, and discuss the blog content.  Look for Amy Dietz (me) at lunch or during the School to join in on the Blog!