Carmela “Millie” Lucas and CSEA President Danny Donohue pose with the Donald Webster Award.
Suffolk Retiree Local President Carmela “Millie” Lucas may be retired, but she will Never Quit fighting for working people and retirees.
For her efforts, she was recently honored with CSEA’s Donald Webster Memorial Mission Achievement Award. The award honors a CSEA Retiree Division Activist whose work advances CSEA retiree issues.
CSEA President Danny Donohue presented the award to Lucas at the recent biennial Retiree Delegates Meeting,
“Whenever a member needs (Lucas), she is there,” Donohue said. “She is tough, strong and a terrific activist who has dedicated her life to fighting for our union brothers and sisters.”
Lucas’ career in CSEA activism began in 1972 when she became a shop steward at Central Islip Psychiatric Center. She “hasn’t looked back since.”
Feeling compelled to help the underdog came from witnessing huge layoffs at the center. Lucas saw that many of her colleagues were in jeopardy and felt that she had to help them fight to retain their positions.
Unbeknownst to her, that was the catalyst that sent Lucas on the long road of union activism. Throughout her career, Lucas worked tirelessly on behalf of her union brothers and sisters, including serving on many statewide and Long Island Region committees.
Even though she retired in 2005, Lucas still hasn’t stopped her activism.
In addition to her role as president of the Suffolk County Retirees Local, Lucas serves as chair of the Long Island Region Women’s Committee and is on the region Political Action Committee. Lucas is also an enthusiastic member of the statewide and region PEOPLE committees. Those are just to name a few of the committees in which she serves.
Her involvement in PEOPLE is of particular importance due to her unwavering need to show members how important the program is.
“A lot of members don’t see how this program effects their lives,” said Lucas. “Participating in PEOPLE gives our union more power on the federal, state and local levels.”
Lucas said she stays so involved because she believes that all people deserve to be heard and respected.
She also believes that just because you’re a retiree doesn’t mean you can’t be involved.
“One of my favorite sayings is that I retired from my job, not from life,” said Lucas. “As long as I can walk and talk, I will back CSEA because I really believe in our union.”
Lucas pushes for the inclusion of CSEA retirees in all of her union activities. She does so because she knows that the retirees are informed, experienced and eager to help. They have been there to witness some hard-fought Labor Movement battles, and can provide valuable insight in our current efforts to build and strengthen our union.
As for receiving the Webster award, Lucas is thankful for the honor and the people she has been fortunate enough to work with along the way.
“I’m very proud to accept this award,” said Lucas. “I want to thank my mentors, Barbara Allen, Barbara Reynolds and Nick LaMorte, for being a constant source of knowledge and understanding.”
“I also want to thank the members of the Suffolk County Retirees Local. You are some of the best and most hard-working members in our union,” said Lucas. “The strength of your contribution and dedication are without measure.”
— Wendi Bowie
