Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local 925 President Grace Bevington-Eglin, center, seated, is congratulated on receiving our union’s Donald Webster Memorial Mission Achievement Award by, seated from left, Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local 925 Secretary Linda Hayner and Michael Bevington, Bevington-Eglin’s son. Standing is Jayme Bevington, Bevington-Eglin’s daughter-in-law. Not shown, but also present at the ceremony is Donald Bevington, Bevington-Eglin’s son.
Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local 925 President Grace Bevington-Eglin is dedicated to helping others, both in our union and in her community.
For her continued service to our union, Bevington-Eglin was recently honored with CSEA’s Donald Webster Memorial Mission Achievement Award, which is awarded to an outstanding CSEA Retiree activist.
Bevington-Eglin said she was shocked when she heard of her award.
“When [CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan] had called and told me about the award, I said, ‘Mary, I’m overwhelmed. I want to do everything I can for the union,’” said Bevington-Eglin.
She was presented with the award at our union’s recent Retiree Delegates Meeting.
“I want to thank the CSEA statewide officers and region officers,” said Bevington-Eglin. “I also want to thank my local officers. I don’t know what I would do without them, and I am very proud of the Local 925 officers and members.”
I also want to say a special thanks to Suffolk Area Retirees Local 920 President Millie Lucas and Capital District Retirees Local 999 President Jack Rohl for nominating me.”
“[Grace] is an inspiring woman who has given so much to CSEA,” said Sullivan. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving to get this award.”
Lifetime of service
Bevington-Eglin’s service with our union goes back 54 years. Shortly after graduating as a licensed practical nurse, she became a union activist in 1970 while employed at the county nursing home, then known as the Fulton County Infirmary.
She soon became our union’s Fulton County Unit President, serving in the office for most of her working career. She also served in leadership positions in the Fulton County Local, including Local Treasurer. She served on our union’s Board of Directors and on numerous committees, including chairing a special statewide committee on LPNs.
In 1988, Bevington-Eglin retired from Fulton County, but her CSEA union career was just getting started.
Shortly after retiring, Bevington-Eglin joined Fulton-Montgomery Counties Retirees Local 925 and soon became local treasurer. In 2005, she became president of Local 925.
She also served as secretary of our union’s Retiree Executive Committee.
In 2000, when Gov. George Pataki signed the legislation giving retirees a permanent COLA, Bevington-Eglin was present at the ceremony. CSEA had fought for many years for the law to be passed.
Bevington-Eglin is active in her community. Her service includes serving on the board of the Fulmont Community Action Agency, which helps area residents in need. She also serve–s as president of the Fulmont Community Action Agency Advisory Council. She serves on the Fulton County Office for the Aging Advisory Board and helps lead numerous local senior groups. She led her local Parent Teacher Association.
She credits her family for strongly supporting her activism. “I want to thank my family for supporting me,” said Bevington-Eglin. “My husband was the one who pushed me to keep going in our union. My family has been behind me all the way.”
Several members of Bevington-Eglin’s family were among those who joined her for the award presentation.
“Even though she is my mother, she is always active and helping others,” said Michael Bevington, Bevington-Eglin’s son.
Strong communication
As a CSEA leader, Bevington-Eglin prioritizes strong communication with members, noting that she “writes everything down” to ensure she addresses any member concerns and share information.
She also shares information with Local 925 members during local meetings, which are held monthly, except for winter months. Bevington-Eglin also works to get meeting notices and other important union information to members through a network of activists calling local members.
“I feel it is important to have great communication and rapport with members,” said Bevington-Eglin. “Communication is one of the biggest things you need. It’s very important to share information and be able to back up everything you say. it’s just as important to also be a good listener.”
Bevington-Eglin’s strong communication skills became especially important during the pandemic, when members were unable to meet in person due to social distancing guidelines.
“During COVID, I regularly sent out letters to members to keep them informed and help them stay involved in our union,” said Bevington-Eglin. “I feel you have to keep members together and keep them informed as much as possible. You just can’t step back and ignore it.”
She is also working hard to reach out to CSEA members in her area who have recently retired.
“You have to think of our union’s future and the members,” said Bevington-Eglin.
While she doesn’t always seek recognition for her achievements, Bevington-Eglin said she was touched when she learned that she is an inspiration to many members.
“I never realized I touched so many lives,” said Bevington-Eglin.
— Janice Gavin
