Page 10 - Work Force March 2021

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: CELEBRATING UNION WOMEN WOMEN Simmons: “I’ve always felt like an equal in the union”
O’Gorman: ‘You have to take the risk’
CANTON – When CSEA Central Region Treasurer Amy Simmons took over as as St Lawrence County Local President 12 years ago she said that there weren’t any major obstacles to overcome as a a a a a a a a a female activist For that Simmons credits her predecessor longtime Central Region activist Betty Thomas who Simmons Simmons said was a a a a a a a a strong
leader and and and mentor Simmons Simmons also credits former U U S S S S Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and and and former U U S S S Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as strong
role models “Working in in in in in the county I I think at this point I’m respected just as as much as as men are ”
Simmons said “I think a a a a a a a a a a a a huge part of of that that is is because of of all the the women in in history that that have paved the the way to to help
make my life easier ”
And it’s that that sentiment building on the work of those who came before you that that is is a a a a a a focal point in in in the the celebration of Women’s History Month Simmons said the the labor movement has been a a a a a a a a great equalizer not just between men men men and and women but for people of all different backgrounds and and lifestyles “I truly feel when I I got involved in in the union I’ve always felt like an equal ”
Simmons Simmons said Simmons Simmons recognizes this might not be the same experience for everyone but said CSEA always works hard to create a a a a a a a safe environment “I think CSEA does an excellent job with trying to ensure no matter who you are that we’re very very inclusive with everybody ”
Simmons said GARDEN CITY — Ana O’Gorman has been a a a a a a force to be be be reckoned with since she first became a a a a a a a a union activist almost a a a a a a a decade ago Now in her eighth year as as CSEA Nassau Community College Unit President O’Gorman is certain that women bring strength to the the the labor movement despite the the the hurdles before them O’Gorman s s s s the first woman to chair both CSEA’s statewide and and Long Island Region Veterans Committees Maryann Phelps has carved out her own piece in CSEA’s history When Phelps first joined CSEA’s statewide Veterans Committee she was the only woman present Phelps The increase in in women’s presence on on these committees is is all part of CSEA’s dedication to lifting up women’s women’s voices in unionism For Phelps women’s women’s rights rights and labor rights rights are are naturally connected because both movements are are a a a a a a a part of a a a a a a a collective fight fight for for justice “When women women in in in labor fight fight for for things like pay equity we’re providing a a a a a benefit to all women women that 10 The Work Force
ROCHESTER — Longtime CSEA member Angela Muscianese knows a a a a a a thing or or or two about labor history and the women’s rights movement She’s been an an active voice for women and children her whole working life which spans more than four decades Muscianese who has worked
for the Monroe County Women Infants & Children Program
(WIC) for the past 23 years says studying women’s history enables her to to develop a a a a a a better understanding of the world in in in which we live in in in today “Building knowledge and and understanding of March 2021
Now 18 years later Phelps is happy to see more women on the committees which currently includes female active-duty reservists Simmons Phelps: Stand up in the face of sexism and and be stronger
A will move us us closer to equality and equity ”
said Phelps “We’re not just fighting fighting for for CSEA members we’re fighting fighting for everyone ”
As a a a a a a woman Phelps has faced many levels of sexism in her career “I looked at at at those situations as motivation
to to to try harder to to to achieve my goals ”
said Phelps “You have to to to stand up in the the face of of sexism and and be stronger
not just for for yourself but for for all of of the the women women who come after you you ”
Like most assertive women women women Phelps is a a a a firm believer that when women women work together they can achieve “We’re better when we work together which is is the the essence of unionism ”
said Phelps As for for her advice to to future female activists Phelps says that it it is is essential to to to form bonds with other women and and and to to to learn from their their success and and and their their failures and and and to to always surround yourself with strong
women — Wendi Bowie
— Nicholas Newcomb
“When I I signed up up to to take the the test to to become
a a a a a a a a a maintenance supervisor I I I was was immediately confronted and told that I I was was in in the wrong place ”
said O’Gorman Being Latinx and a a a a a a a woman it only compounded the discriminatory behavior “If you you become
a a a a a a a supervisor it’s even worse because [people] doubt doubt your ability to lead ”
said O’Gorman “That doubt doubt is is compounded when you’re a a a a a a a Latino and your second language is is is English ”
Although not as as overtly aggressive O’Gorman has also faced dismissive behavior within CSEA’s ranks When she she initially decided to run for unit president she she was faced with condescending statements like “I “I don’t don’t want want you you to to get depressed” and “I “I don’t don’t want want want you you to to to fail ”
Men are are rarely faced with these types of comments when they want want to to Knowing our labor history will yield Muscianese