Page 7 - Work Force February 2024

Living King’s legacy: Rose honored for activism
BUFFALO — Ebony Rose, section president at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC), was recently honored for her activism in the labor movement.
Rose, along with four other Western New York labor and community activists,
were recognized for
their dedication to the principles of racial, economic, and social justice at The Rev. Martin Luther King
Jr. Living the Legacy luncheon, hosted by the Western New York Area Labor Federation.
Rose, a CSEA
member for more than
a decade, has made
her mark in our union
and labor community.
During that time, Rose has built strong relationships with not only her colleagues at ECMC, but with leadership and members within the Erie County Local.
“Ebony is the quintessence of an activist,” said Erie County Unit President Bill Wilkinson. “We’ve
worked together at ECMC for over a decade and in our time as colleagues and fellow union activists, I’ve been so immensely impressed with how dedicated she is to her membership. I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”
At the luncheon, several speakers spoke about King’s work. Attendees also spoke about how King’s legacy has lived on, and how his mission advanced through the advocacy of so many activists in and around Buffalo, Rose included.
The foundation
of King’s message is solidarity, pulling each other up rather than bringing others down
and being one united voice toward change. Those values so strongly relate to the fundamentals of unions and of the labor movement and are personified through members like Rose.
“Ebony Rose not only exemplifies the values of organized labor, but
her advocacy for her membership truly advances the mission of MLK,” said Western New York Area Labor Federation President Peter DeJesus Jr. “Since I’ve known Ebony, she’s worked tirelessly to provide equal opportunities for each and every individual in her workplace. She is the epitome of strength, resiliency and morality – core values of both MLK and the labor movement.”
King believed that knowledge
is power, something that Rose has applied to her own union work. During her tenure as a member and officer, Rose has been proactive in seizing opportunities for learning and growth such as attending the annual AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference this year.
“I’ve known Ebony for over 10 years through CSEA and she’s been
a true example of an activist,” said Western Region President Steve Healy. “She has made such an effort to advocate for her members, from the LEAD program to attending labor classes at Cornell University. She truly cares about every single one of the members.”
Erie County Medical Center Section President Ebony Rose was recently honored for her activism.
“I’m so honored by this recognition,” said Rose. “King’s legacy is profound and to be recognized as one who’s work advances that is incredibly humbling. I am so grateful for my members, colleagues and friends in the union who have supported my development into the best leader I can be. I look forward to continuing to live out his legacy through the labor movement.”
— Madison Ruffo
“She has made such an effort to advocate for her members, from the LEAD program to attending labor classes at Cornell University. She truly cares about every single one of the members.”
CSEA members, staff volunteer as part of King conference
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — CSEA members and staff recently joined their union family at the 2024 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Human and Civil Rights Conference.
The annual weekend event takes place over the Martin Luther King
Jr. holiday weekend and serves as
an opportunity for family in labor
to network and brainstorm ways
to strengthen unionism and honor King’s legacy through education, religious worship and acts of service.
This year’s conference theme
was “Our Voice, Our Ballot, Our Future.” In accordance with the theme, sessions included pointed conversations about the importance of the upcoming presidential election and the need to elect the most pro-union candidate.
— Wendi Bowie
From left to right, Metropolitan DDSO Local President Evans Quamina, Brooklyn Developmental Center Local President Faye Wilkie-Fields and CSEA Metropolitan Region Labor Relations Specialist Adriane Hudson arrive for the Connecting Hands by Accommodating Necessary Growth for Everyone (C.H.A.N.G.E.) Community Resource Center to volunteer for their day of service to the community. (Photo provided by Adriane Hudson.)
From left to right, Karen Jones, founder and
CEO of Montgomery, Ala. nonprofit organization Whom It Concerns Inc., accepts more than $1,100 in cash donations for the organization from on- site volunteers, including CSEA Capital Region Executive Vice President Shana Davis, holding sign, second from left.
February 2024
The Work Force 7