AFSCME Members Gather in Milwaukee for Women’s Conference
by Jon Melegrito | September 30, 2011
MILWAUKEE, WIS. — More than 900 female AFSCME members are gathering here this weekend – in the state where AFSCME was born – to celebrate the role of women in the union, foster their political activism ahead of the 2012 election season and to encourage their role in the fight for workers’ rights.
Today through Sunday, attendees of AFSCME’s National Women’s Conference will have plenty of opportunities to meet other members, share experiences and exchange views, develop leadership skills and discuss issues of importance to union members.
Conference highlights include keynote addresses from Pres. Gerald W. McEntee and Sec.-Treas. Lee Saunders; remarks from U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Wisconsin State Sens. Jessica King and Lena Taylor. There will be panel discussions on “Women’s Voices from the Frontlines” and “Courage, Cash & Coalitions: Three Keys to Political Power;” regional roundtables and workshops on various issues and topics, such as “Strategic Tools for Women Activists” and “The Attack on Retirement Security.”
AFSCME’s innovation will be on display with cell phone polling of participants, and the conference will also introduce for the first time a new application for smart phones and iPads that allows users to access updates, such as conference schedules, travel information and maps of the Milwaukee area.
Wisconsin grabbed national attention early this year when thousands of public service workers flooded the Capitol to oppose Gov. Scott Walker’s anti-union bill. To demonstrate solidarity with the men and women who battled to preserve collective bargaining rights, attendees will kick off the conference with a rally today at Red Arrow Park.
“I’m looking forward to meeting my AFSCME sisters, listening to their stories about who we are and why we are a mighty, mighty union,” says Walthene Primus, chair of AFSCME’s National Women’s Advisory Committee. “Wisconsin is very dear to AFSCME because it’s the birthplace of our great union. I can’t think of a better place to convene our conference and get re-energized for 2012.”
