June provides our union with many opportunities to showcase and celebrate our union’s diversity, which strengthens us.
June marks Pride Month, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and contributions to our society. CSEA stands firmly with our union members and allies who are in the LGBTQ+ community as they continue their fight for dignity and respect. Our union’s Statewide LGBTQ+ Committee is working hard to advocate for members and other workers in this community. Throughout Pride Month, CSEA will be participating in Pride events across the state.
On June 19, we will celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. It is a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle of confronting inequality wherever it exists. As union members, we are committed to ending discrimination, dismantling systemic barriers and advocating for policies that promote equity for all. It is the diversity of our union that gives us strength.
In April, our union held our CSEA Women’s Conference, themed “Collective Power, Collective Progress,” in Tarrytown. Organized by our Standing Women’s Committee, the conference featured workshops on leadership, advocacy and personal development. It was inspiring to see members from across the state come together to share experiences and strategies for empowerment.
There are three women I would like to highlight from this year’s conference. Monroe County Unit President Holly Roth was presented with this year’s Irene Carr Leadership Award for her dedication and leadership to members.
The second is Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who joined the conference and spoke about the struggles she faced growing up as a Black woman and overcoming them to reach a leadership role that allows her to help all New Yorkers.
Finally, I was honored to introduce Governor Kathy Hochul to speak at the conference. She brought great energy to the room as she spoke about her appreciation for the hardworking union families in our state. While the federal government looks to cut services, the Governor is proudly seeking to grow services for New York with the help from CSEA members.
Appreciation for CSEA members was on full display this past month during our union’s Member Appreciation Month. Many union leaders, elected officials and others took the time join our virtual “Toast to YOU” celebration for members who work tirelessly to provide the services in every community across New York. Thank you again for all you do.
