Rose
BUFFALO — Erie County Local activist Ebony Rose will get an opportunity to further develop her union leadership skills.
Rose, a discharge planner at Erie County Medical Center in Buffalo, was recently awarded a New York State AFL-CIO L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Equity and Development) scholarship.
For the last 20 years, the New York State AFL-CIO has co-sponsored a union leadership program in association with Cornell University’s Union Leadership Institute (ULI).
The program helps union activists from diverse backgrounds develop their labor skills to allow them to potentially achieve higher leadership positions.
The objective of the program is to foster equity in the Labor Movement and ensure union leadership reflects its membership, the New York State AFL-CIO Social Justice Task Force proposed, and the Executive Council approved, L.E.A.D. scholarships for prospective union leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Program scholarship applicants were required to submit an essay discussing how identity and background concerning race, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, disability and or religion has shaped personal involvement within the Labor Movement.
Ebony Rose on the job at Erie County Medical Center.
Rose, an active CSEA member since 2003, has participated in many educational and training opportunities throughout her career.
“As a black woman in America, I am, and remain dedicated to, equal rights for all,” Rose said after learning of the scholarship award. “Discrimination against people on the basis of race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or gender expression especially on the job should not be tolerated in any way shape or form. I look forward to continuing the union fight for equality, and will fight this fight with the same dedication, willpower, and compassion as my predecessors.”
Rose is also a recent CSEA Leadership Education And Development (LEAD) Program graduate. Rose called the CSEA LEAD training opportunity “eye-opening” and said it was “an instrumental tool for cultivating the next generation of leaders.”
CSEA Western Region President Steve Healy called Rose a role model for newer activists. “We are very fortunate to have an emerging leader like Ebony among our ranks,” he said. “She has stepped up big time to educate herself on all things union. She is building an impressive union resume that will no doubt serve our membership very well for many years to come.”
— Ove Overmyer
