ALBANY — CSEA is mourning the loss of Executive Assistant to the President Sharon Lovelady-Hall, who passed away on Feb. 27 after bravely fighting a long and serious illness. She was 59.
Sharon remained committed to our union, working on behalf of members until the end.
“Sister Sharon was a dear friend to many of us and was very much family to me,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “Her passing is a great loss to our CSEA family, our CBTU family and the labor movement overall. So many of us counted her as a beloved family member, and there are no words to express this loss. We will forever miss and remember you, Sharon.”
Lifetime of leadership
Sharon became a CSEA member in 1989 when she began working for the New York State Higher Education Services Corp. She soon became a CSEA activist, serving as recording secretary and a delegate of our union’s NYS Higher Education Services Corp. Local.
In 1997, she joined CSEA’s staff, first serving as a Labor Education Specialist and later as the Deputy Director of Education and Leadership Development. In 2004, Sharon became our union’s Director of Education and Leadership Development. In 2021, Sharon became the Executive Assistant to the President. Her duties included overseeing many initiatives and aspects of CSEA on behalf of President Mary E. Sullivan.
During her 28 years on staff, Sharon was instrumental in building our union’s Education and Training Department. She was also a founder of CSEA’s Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) Program, which has developed many of our union members into leaders.
“Sharon carried the LEAD Program from the beginning,” said Adriane Hudson, Metropolitan Region Labor Relations Specialist, former member and graduate of the inaugural LEAD Program. “She made sure we got the training. She made us participate. Nobody was going to sit on the sidelines; everyone was going to play in this game.”
Sharon’s involvement from the start helped ensure the LEAD Program’s strong foundation and success.
“She built bridges between people within LEAD, within the labor movement and within so many other areas of her life that will never be demolished,” said Hudson. “She was a force to be reckoned with. A warrior has laid her spear down.”
Sharon was also fiercely committed to advancing working women, serving as an adviser to our union’s Standing Women’s Committee for many years.
Advocating for justice
Sharon also tirelessly fought for justice, serving as an adviser to our union’s Minority Issues Committee to help build inclusive environments throughout CSEA. She also helped train union staff and members on inclusiveness as a trainer/facilitator for the National Coalition Builder Institute.
She was also a strong advocate and activist within the greater labor movement. She was a founding member and treasurer of the Capital District Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU). Sharon later served as director of CBTU Region 1.
“Sharon Lovelady-Hall was a pivotal member of CBTU as Region 1 Director, where she oversaw and directed the activities for chapters in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Ontario, Canada. As the consummate educator, she was the creator and administrator for the Carol Anderson Leadership Institute at CBTU,” said Rev. Terry Melvin, President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists. “She will be fondly remembered as a mentor and role model for young women and trade unionists, leading by example and fighting for the greater good.”
Beloved by many
Sharon’s influence extended far beyond her work and advocacy. She was beloved and considered a family member by many people in the labor movement and CSEA, including Capital Region President Shana Davis.
“I’ve known Sharon since I was around 6 years old, and I’m so happy to have had the opportunity to not only work with her so closely, but to be friends with her all these years,” said Davis. “Sharon was always positive and handled everything with integrity and grace. She never wavered in her faith no matter what she went through. She remained committed until the very end.”
Davis also noted that Sharon’s impact will be felt within CSEA for many years.
“Sharon never questioned who she was and what she had to bring,” said Davis. “Her legacy in the halls of CSEA will never die. She loved her work, and it meant the world to her. She taught me so much. I’m grateful to have been her friend and grateful to be a part of her family. I’m extremely grateful for the time I had with her.”
— Mathew L. Cantore