Organizer Wins Parisi Scholarship

COLUMBUS OHIO

This year’s recipient of the Joey Parisi Memorial Scholarship, Karen Vroman, shared her hope of winning the prestigious AFSCME award with her seven children. But, she added, she would be competing with very talented candidates.

"I told them, ‘If your hat is not in the ring, you will never be a contender,’" says the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association/ AFSCME Local 11 organizer.

Vroman, who worked for the Ohio state Rehabilitation Services Commission for nine years before joining the union staff, was cited for her work in increasing educational opportunities for union members, fostering internal organizing, fighting privatization and promoting political action.

"I’m very blessed and privileged to have been selected," says Vroman who had been studying public administration and human resources at Franklin University in Columbus.

The Parisi Scholarship is named after one of AFSCME’s top organizers, Joey Parisi, who died unexpectedly in 1995.

The award is in its second year and will enable Vroman to attend the National Labor College of the George Meany Center for Labor Studies in Silver Spring, Md. The program leads to a bachelor’s degree in labor studies through a combined residence and telecommuting program.

Vroman sees her studies as an opportunity to see the theory behind her union work. "My new studies will serve as a testing ground for internal and external organizing, allowing me to evaluate how well we are doing in Ohio," she explains.

Vroman says the award will allow her to put funds aside for four of her children who will be attending college next year — along with mom.

"The kids are as thrilled as I am about the award," says Vroman. "It just proves that you have to try and give everything your best shot, and in this case, I came out on top."