Page 5 - Work Force April 2026

CSEA mourns the loss of
‘labor powerhouse’ Sharon
Lovelady-Hall
ALBANY — CSEA is mourning the loss of
Executive Assistant to the President Sharon
Lovelady-Hall, who passed away on Feb. 27 after
bravely fighting a long and serious illness. She
was 59.
Sharon remained committed to our union,
working on behalf of members until the end.
“Sister Sharon was a dear friend to many of
us and was very much family to me,” said CSEA
President Mary E. Sullivan. “Her passing is a great
loss to our CSEA family, our CBTU family and the
labor movement overall. So many of us counted
her as a beloved family member, and there are no
words to express this loss. We will forever miss
and remember you, Sharon.”
Lifetime of leadership
Sharon became a CSEA member in 1989 when
she began working for the New York State Higher
Education Services Corp. She soon became a
CSEA activist, serving as recording secretary and
a delegate of our union’s NYS Higher Education
Services Corp. Local.
In 1997, she joined CSEA’s staff, first serving
as a Labor Education Specialist and later as the
Deputy Director of Education and Leadership
Development. In 2004, Sharon became our
union’s Director of Education and Leadership
Development. In 2021, Sharon became the
Executive Assistant to the President. Her duties
included overseeing many initiatives and aspects
of CSEA on behalf of President Mary E. Sullivan.
During her 28 years on staff, Sharon was
instrumental in building our union’s Education
and Training Department. She was also a founder
of CSEA’s Leadership Education and Development
(LEAD) Program, which has developed many of
our union members into leaders.
“Sharon carried the LEAD Program from the
beginning,” said Adriane Hudson, Metropolitan
Region Labor Relations Specialist, former member
and graduate of the inaugural LEAD Program.
“She made sure we got the training. She made
us participate. Nobody was going to sit on the
sidelines; everyone was going to play in this
game.”
Sharon’s involvement from the start helped
ensure the LEAD Program’s strong foundation and
success.
“She built bridges between people within
LEAD, within the labor movement and within so
many other areas of her life that will never be
demolished,” said Hudson. “She was a force to
be reckoned with. A warrior has laid her spear
down.”
Sharon was also fiercely committed
to advancing working women, serving
as an adviser to our union’s Standing
Women’s Committee for many years.
Advocating for justice
Sharon also tirelessly fought for
justice, serving as an adviser to our
union’s Minority Issues Committee
to help build inclusive environments
throughout CSEA. She also helped
train union staff and members on inclusiveness
as a trainer/facilitator for the National Coalition
Builder Institute.
She was also a strong advocate and activist
within the greater labor movement. She was a
founding member and treasurer of the Capital
District Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade
Unionists (CBTU). Sharon later served as director
of CBTU Region 1.
“Sharon Lovelady-Hall was a pivotal member
of CBTU as Region 1 Director, where she oversaw
and directed the activities for chapters in New
York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and
Ontario, Canada. As the consummate educator,
Lovelady-Hall
she was the creator and administrator for the
Carol Anderson Leadership Institute at CBTU,”
said Rev. Terry Melvin, President of the Coalition
of Black Trade Unionists. “She will be fondly
remembered as a mentor and role model for
young women and trade unionists, leading by
example and fighting for the greater good.”
Beloved by many
Sharon’s influence extended far beyond
her work and advocacy. She was beloved and
considered a family member by
many people in the labor movement
and CSEA, including Capital Region
President Shana Davis.
“I’ve known Sharon since I was
around 6 years old, and I’m so happy
to have had the opportunity to not
only work with her so closely, but to be
friends with her all these years,” said
Davis. “Sharon was always positive and
handled everything with integrity and
grace. She never wavered in her faith no matter
what she went through. She remained committed
until the very end.”
Davis also noted that Sharon’s impact will be
felt within CSEA for many years.
“Sharon never questioned who she was and
what she had to bring,” said Davis. “Her legacy
in the halls of CSEA will never die. She loved
her work, and it meant the world to her. She
taught me so much. I’m grateful to have been her
friend and grateful to be a part of her family. I’m
extremely grateful for the time I had with her.”
In 2022, Sharon Lovelady-Hall, left, presents a
Capital District Area Labor Federation award to
CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan.
— Mathew L. Cantore
April 2026 5 5
The Work Force
“She was a
force to be
reckoned
with. A warrior
has laid her
spear down.”