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POWER Turns 30
(This article first appeared in the November/December 2009 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine.)
Post Office Women for Equal Rights gathered in Detroit last summer to celebrate 30 years of service to members of the APWU. Sisters from all over the country took part in the workshops on such things as women’s health issues, workers’ rights under the Family and Medical Leave Act, and retirement. Participants received an abundance of information to share with their locals and put into action: Great thanks are due the instructors who made the workshops such a success.
Highlights
The convention’s keynote speaker, Sandra Williams, president of the Detroit Metropolitan Council AFLCIO, delivered a message on the importance of the Employee Free Choice Act to working Americans. At the POWER officers’ installation dinner, APWU President William Burrus discussed the negative effects that passage of S. 1507 would have on our next contract, and asked the sisters to encourage their senators to vote against the bill.
At the dinner, three sisters were formally recognized: President William Burrus presented the Elizabeth “Liz” Powell Executive Award to Princella Vogel (president, Houston Area Local); the Joyce B. Robinson Leadership Award to Debby Szeredy (president, Mid-Hudson New York Area Local); and the Nilda Chock Pioneer Award to Eleanor Bailey (New York Metro Area Local retiree). In addition, the POWER Coordinator's Award was presented to Michelle Thomas, who was Southern Region POWER Coordinator.
The newly elected APWU POWER Coordinators are: Carolyn J. Watson (Central Region); Rachel Walthall (Eastern); Ivona Palmer (Northeast); Gayle J. Vincent (Southern); and M. Joanne Holiday (Western).
The convention COPA challenge was on again, of course, and the Eastern Region POWER sisters stepped up with a contribution of $6,105, with special recognition extended to members of the Northern Virginia Area Local for their large donation. The Southern Region was not far behind at $4,393. Other region totals were: Central $1,926; Western $1,693 and Northeastern $1,219. This push by the sister’s brought POWER’s donation to a grand total of $15,336.
Pearl of Wisdom Campaign
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POWER has joined with the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) to help educate union women about cervical cancer. The Pearl of Wisdom Campaign (www.pearlofwisdom.us) shows how you can give wisdom — and a pearl — to help save the lives of sisters, daughters, mothers, and friends.
The effort is part of an awareness campaign about the risk of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is thought to be present in as many as three out of four adults at some time in their lives.
While most HPV infections go away without treatment, when cervical cancer develops, it typically does not present symptoms until it has advanced to a very late stage. So screening and vaccinations are key to prevention. That’s where the Pearl of Wisdom campaign comes in.
HPV vaccinations protect against the two most common types of HPV and are most effective when given to girls and young women who have not been sexually active. The vaccine has been approved for girls as young as 9, but ongoing screening at any age is recommended, even for women who have been vaccinated.
Speak to your doctors and speak to your sisters. Give every woman in your life the Pearl of Wisdom.
Speak to your doctors and speak to your sisters. Give every woman in your life the Pearl of Wisdom. Remember:
