Girl Power

CHICAGO

At Chicago’s recent AFL-CIO convention of working women, a 9-year-old girl almost upstaged the keynote speaker, Vice President Gore. Her name: NiQuay Harper, a niece of Toni Harper, who is an organizer for Virginia Council 27. NiQuay’s message to working women: start early in your fight for equality and power.

No newcomer to unionism, NiQuay has been passing out leaflets to boost union membership at Virginia correctional facilities and hospitals since she was 6. Says Ms. Harper, “She will go places where workers are fearful of going.”

NiQuay hadn’t planned on celebrating her 9th birthday in Chicago. But when she decided to attend the convention, letters urging officials to recognize her achievements were sent by Daniel LeBlanc, president of the Virginia AFL-CIO; Larry Henry, director of Council 27; and Local 3008 at the Medical College of Virginia.

Introducing Sen. Maggie Carlton (D-Nev.), NiQuay sparked a thunderous ovation by declaring, “I believe ‘Girl Power’ starts the moment the doctor says, ‘Congratulations, it’s a girl!’” She went on to say, “This conference is about working women working together and getting the job done. Maggie Carlton is a waitress, union activist, mother, wife and a Nevada state senator. How many men do you know who have five jobs?”

During the speech, NiQuay announced that she plans to be the President of the United States in the year 2040. Commented Vice President Gore: “I wouldn’t bet against her.”