Search News
For the Media
For media inquiries, call CWA Communications at 202-434-1168 or email comms@cwa-union.org. To read about CWA Members, Leadership or Industries, visit our About page.
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists Honors Two CWA Activist
Two CWA staff members long active in the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists were honored at the organization’s 30th national convention in May in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Gwend Johnson, director of contract administration and affiliated organizations for CWA’s Printing Sector and CWA Education Specialist Dennis Serrette were recognized before 2,100 delegates and guests, including about 50 from CWA.
The coalition gave Johnson four awards including the prestigious Addie Wyatt Award presented by its National Women’s Committee.
Johnson, treasurer of the CBTU and president of its Washington, D.C., chapter since 1986, helped found the Southern California Chapter in the 1970s, serving as its executive vice president and president. Highlights of her CBTU work include a 1994 trip to observe the first free elections in South Africa.
Currently chair of the CBTU’s website committee and editor of its national newsletter, Johnson also received the organization’s first Media Communications Award. Additionally, she won a Grasshopper Award for her efforts on the get-out-the-vote team of CBTU’s “Grasshopper Army” and an award for her service as treasurer of the coalition’s 2001 souvenir journal.
“I am honored to have been recognized for the work that I do in the CBTU at all levels,” Johnson said. “I want to share this recognition with my CWA family and thank CWA for giving me the support and experience that has enabled me to help carry out the CBTU’s objectives.”
Serrette, honored as a founding member of the CBTU last year at its convention in Atlanta, was recognized this year as one of 19 original leaders of the organization.
Serrette, while vice president of CWA Local 1101 in New York City in 1972, took a stand with other black leaders for recognition of CBTU within the AFL-CIO. He also helped lead the coalition’s fights to end racial discrimination in South Africa and to preserve affirmative action. Serrette became a member of CBTU’s first executive council and its first national organizer.
Both honorees led workshops at the event, Johnson on media communication and newsletter writing and Serrette on CBTU’s history.
Convention participants included Gloria Johnson, coordinator, CWA women’s activities and community services, member of the CBTU and AFL-CIO executive councils and former IUE women’s committee chair; Elise Bryant, staffer at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, Cecelie Counts-Blakely of the AFL-CIO Education Department, and Mia Smith, AFL-CIO Working Women’s Department, all of TNG-CWA Local 32035; Debra Robinson of IUE-CWA Local 698, president of CBTU’s Jackson, Miss., chapter and CBTU executive council member, and Marilyn Lenard, president of the Florida AFL-CIO and former vice president of CWA Local 3101.
Since its founding in 1972, the CBTU has provided a vehicle for greater black and minority participation in the labor movement and politics. Delegates to the national convention represented 77 national and international unions and 42 CBTU chapters.
Gwend Johnson, director of contract administration and affiliated organizations for CWA’s Printing Sector and CWA Education Specialist Dennis Serrette were recognized before 2,100 delegates and guests, including about 50 from CWA.
The coalition gave Johnson four awards including the prestigious Addie Wyatt Award presented by its National Women’s Committee.
Johnson, treasurer of the CBTU and president of its Washington, D.C., chapter since 1986, helped found the Southern California Chapter in the 1970s, serving as its executive vice president and president. Highlights of her CBTU work include a 1994 trip to observe the first free elections in South Africa.
Currently chair of the CBTU’s website committee and editor of its national newsletter, Johnson also received the organization’s first Media Communications Award. Additionally, she won a Grasshopper Award for her efforts on the get-out-the-vote team of CBTU’s “Grasshopper Army” and an award for her service as treasurer of the coalition’s 2001 souvenir journal.
“I am honored to have been recognized for the work that I do in the CBTU at all levels,” Johnson said. “I want to share this recognition with my CWA family and thank CWA for giving me the support and experience that has enabled me to help carry out the CBTU’s objectives.”
Serrette, honored as a founding member of the CBTU last year at its convention in Atlanta, was recognized this year as one of 19 original leaders of the organization.
Serrette, while vice president of CWA Local 1101 in New York City in 1972, took a stand with other black leaders for recognition of CBTU within the AFL-CIO. He also helped lead the coalition’s fights to end racial discrimination in South Africa and to preserve affirmative action. Serrette became a member of CBTU’s first executive council and its first national organizer.
Both honorees led workshops at the event, Johnson on media communication and newsletter writing and Serrette on CBTU’s history.
Convention participants included Gloria Johnson, coordinator, CWA women’s activities and community services, member of the CBTU and AFL-CIO executive councils and former IUE women’s committee chair; Elise Bryant, staffer at the George Meany Center for Labor Studies, Cecelie Counts-Blakely of the AFL-CIO Education Department, and Mia Smith, AFL-CIO Working Women’s Department, all of TNG-CWA Local 32035; Debra Robinson of IUE-CWA Local 698, president of CBTU’s Jackson, Miss., chapter and CBTU executive council member, and Marilyn Lenard, president of the Florida AFL-CIO and former vice president of CWA Local 3101.
Since its founding in 1972, the CBTU has provided a vehicle for greater black and minority participation in the labor movement and politics. Delegates to the national convention represented 77 national and international unions and 42 CBTU chapters.