Page 10 - Retiree News Fall 2025

CBTU honors Johnson for inspiration, leadership
ALBANY — Orange-Ulster-Sullivan Retirees Local 917 President Juanita Johnson is the 2025 recipient of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) Region 1’s Charles Nelson Award of Distinction.
The honor, named for a CBTU Region 1 founder and 35-year member, recognizes Johnson’s strong leadership and ability to inspire fellow CBTU members, in addition to her commitment to the organization’s core goals of social and economic justice.
CBTU Region 1 Director and CSEA Executive Assistant to the President Sharon Lovelady-Hall and CSEA Capital Region President and CBTU Capital District Chapter President Shana Davis presented Johnson with the award at a recent CBTU Region 1 conference in Albany.
“It was a really great surprise,” said Johnson. “My daughter Berenda didn’t attend [the conference], but when I saw her at the hotel, I knew something was up.”
Lifetime of advocacy
Johnson started in 1972 as a teacher’s aide in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, where she first assisted preschoolers before spending most of her career at an elementary school now known as the Gardnertown Leadership Academy.
“My favorite part of the job was being able to work with the children and make sure that they were happy,” said Johnson.
Much of Johnson’s career involved advocacy. While many memories stick with her, one that stands out is when she realized a student who had been staying with extended family was being abused. Johnson raised concerns and the student was ultimately moved to a different, safer home. The student later wrote her a letter to thank her, asking Johnson if she’d be her honorary grandmother.
“She lives out of state now, but when she comes up here, she tries to stop in and see me, and she still calls me Grandma,” said Johnson.
Those advocacy skills came
From left, CBTU Region 1 Director and CSEA Executive Assistant to the President Sharon Lovelady-Hall, Local 917 President Juanita Johnson, and CSEA Capital Region President and CBTU Capital District Chapter President Shana Davis pose shortly after Johnson received the award. (Photo provided.)
into play once CSEA leaders in
the district recruited Johnson
to become a shop steward. She ultimately served as the unit’s chief steward.
“I grew up being taught that you had to help other people, so this is something I felt I had to do and I enjoyed doing it,” said Johnson of her union role. “I was able to give people a little direction and that made me feel good.”
While she was still working in Newburgh, Johnson learned of CBTU through her involvement in our union and became an active member, taking inspiration from speakers and sessions at national conferences and bringing back what she learned to her co-workers.
She remains active to this day,
both in CBTU and CSEA. Heading up a retiree local, where she is often joined by her daughter Berenda (also a Local 917 member), keeps Johnson busy.
When she’s not doing union work, Johnson is active in her church and enjoys shopping and traveling. As a mother of seven, she has grandchildren, great- grandchildren and even two great- great-grandchildren, which keeps her busy and fulfilled.
“I’ve encouraged my own kids to get involved in our union and just enjoy all the different people I meet,” said Johnson. “Sometimes, I know that what I say from my experiences can make an impact on others, and I like being able to help.”
— Jessica Ladlee
Upcoming Events
Local 917 Orange-Ulster-Sullivan. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. For more information or to RSVP, contact Local President Juanita Johnson.
Local 918 Rockland Dec. 10, Membership Meeting, noon, Lynch’s on the Green, Thiells/Mt. Ivy Road, Thiells. We will also be collecting can goods and other food items for the Rockland County Veterans Association. Please call President Ron Wilson at (845) 406-3724 before Nov. 26 to confirm your attendance (this venue has limited seating).
Local 920 Suffolk Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month at noon in the Region 1 Office, 3 Garet Pl, Commack, NY 11725.
Local 924 Schenectady Dec. 5 Winter/ Christmas meeting, Turf Tavern, Scotia. Watch for details in the postal invitation and on Facebook.
Local 925 Fulton-Montgomery Oct. 28, Nov. 11 and Dec. 16 (Christmas Party), noon, Winner’s Circle, Fonda. For more information or to RSVP, please see annual meeting flyer.
Local 952 Florida State North Feb. 5, 2026 Save the Date for Annual Meeting with CSEA Headquarters staff in Daytona Beach. For more details, please call (386) 299-6003.
Local 952 Florida State North Unit 7 Dec. 9 Holiday Meeting, Malibu Grill, Port Orange. For more details, please call (386) 299-6003.
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CSEA RETIREE NEWS