Page 1 - Retiree News Fall 2024

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etiree etiree NEWS R
Mary E. Sullivan, President FALL 2024 Bevington-Eglin honored with our union’s Webster award Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local of her working career. She also served in
925 President Grace Bevington-Eglin is leadership positions in the Fulton County Local,
dedicated to helping others, both in our union including Local Treasurer. She served on our
and in her community. union’s Board of Directors and on numerous
For her continued service to our union, committees, including chairing a special
Bevington-Eglin was recently honored with statewide committee on LPNs.
CSEA’s Donald Webster Memorial Mission In 1988, Bevington-Eglin retired from Fulton
Achievement Award, which is awarded to an County, but her CSEA union career was just
outstanding CSEA Retiree activist. getting started.
Bevington-Eglin said she was shocked when Shortly after retiring, Bevington-Eglin joined
she heard of her award. Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local 925
“When [CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan] and soon became local treasurer. In 2005, she
had called and told me about the award, I became president of Local 925.
said, ‘Mary, I’m overwhelmed. I want to do She also served as secretary of our union’s
Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local 925 everything I can for the union,’” said Bevington- Retiree Executive Committee.
President Grace Bevington-Eglin, center, seated, Eglin. In 2000, when Gov. George Pataki signed the
is congratulated on receiving our union’s Donald She was presented with the award at our legislation giving retirees a permanent COLA,
Webster Memorial Mission Achievement Award union’s recent Retiree Delegates Meeting. Bevington-Eglin was present at the ceremony.
by, seated from left, Fulton-Montgomery Counties “I want to thank the CSEA statewide officers CSEA had fought for many years for the law to
Retirees Local 925 Secretary Linda Hayner
and region officers,” said Bevington-Eglin. “I be passed.
and Michael Bevington, Bevington-Eglin’s son. also want to thank my local officers. I don’t Bevington-Eglin is active in her community.
Standing is Jayme Bevington, Bevington-Eglin’s know what I would do without them, and I Her service includes serving on the board of
daughter-in-law. Not shown, but also present at am very proud of the Local 925 officers and the Fulmont Community Action Agency, which
the ceremony, is Donald Bevington, Bevington- members.”
helps area residents in need. She also serves
Eglin’s son.
I also want to say a special thanks to Suffolk
as president of the Fulmont Community Action
Area Retirees Local 920 President Millie Lucas
Agency Advisory Council. She serves on the
Strong communication
and Capital District Retirees Local 999 President
Fulton County Office for the Aging Advisory
As a CSEA leader, Bevington-Eglin prioritizes Jack Rohl for nominating me.”
Board and helps lead numerous local senior
strong communication with members, noting “[Grace] is an inspiring woman who has
groups. She led her local Parent Teacher
that she “writes everything down” to ensure given so much to CSEA,” said Sullivan. “I can’t
Association.
she addresses any member concerns and share think of anyone more deserving to get this
She credits her family for strongly supporting
information.
award.”
her activism. “I want to thank my family for
She also shares information with Local 925 supporting me,” said Bevington-Eglin. “My
members during local meetings, which are held Lifetime of service
husband was the one who pushed me to keep
monthly, except for winter months. Bevington- Bevington-Eglin’s service with our union
going in our union. My family has been behind
Eglin also works to get meeting notices and goes back 54 years. Shortly after graduating as
me all the way.”
other important union information to members a licensed practical nurse, she became a union
Several members of Bevington-Eglin’s family
through a network of activists calling local activist in 1970 while employed at the county
were among those who joined her for the award
members.
nursing home, then known as the Fulton County
presentation.
“I feel it is important to have great
Infirmary.
“Even though she is my mother, she is
communication and rapport with members,” She soon became our union’s Fulton County
always active and helping others,” said Michael
said Bevington-Eglin. “Communication is one Unit President, serving in the office for most
Bevington, Bevington-Eglin’s son.
continued on page 11.