For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 27, 1998
Milwaukee Girl’s Essay on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; Wins Top Prize in National Contest
Honolulu, Hawaii —When 14-year-old Melisa Purdy, of Milwaukee, learned of a national essay contest being sponsored by her mother’s union -- the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO -- she decided to give it a try. The theme of the contest was a line from a speech King delivered to striking AFSCME sanitation workers in Memphis in 1968 shortly before he was assassinated: "Whenever you are engaged in work that serves humanity, and is for the benefit of humanity, it has dignity and it has worth."
To her surprise, Melisa won first prize -- a trip to the AFSCME convention in Hawaii, where her essay was read to the to the 5,000 AFSCME delegates and guests.
In her essay, Melisa reflected on the fact that AFSCME workers touch the lives of people like herself and serve humanity every day. She wrote, "I found myself reflecting on my life and how I want to serve humanity . . . humanity I thought, that’s me! I was born weighing a mere 2 pounds 6 ounces. It was the loving dedication of nurses and countless hospital personnel that kept me alive at the Milwaukee County Hospital. AFSCME workers SAVED ME! ... Like Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., AFSCME is loved." She almost didn’t dare to hope she would win the contest and a chance to present her essay to the AFSCME convention in Honolulu, Hawaii. But after the contest judges made their final decision, Melissa found out she was the big winner.
AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee commended Melisa on her winning essay. "It makes all of us proud that Melisa so clearly recognizes the role that Dr. Martin Luther King played in bringing dignity and fairness to all people. Her essay shows that the legacy of Dr. King has been passed on to another generation. Her essay on the importance of every job was heartwarming and inspiring, and we’re honored that she and her whole family are able to join us in Hawaii for our International Convention."
Melisa is being joined in Hawaii by her mother, AFSCME Local 645 member and International Convention delegate Cecile-Marie Purdy, her father, David, and two brothers, John and Gregg.
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