Conference Helps Empower CWA Women

"CWA Women Building for the Future" was the focus of the national women's conference in St. Louis, and more than 150 CWAers joined in activities and discussions designed to empower women as leaders, unionists and political activists.    

CWA Executive Vice President Annie Hill outlined CWA's campaign to help win real health care reform. CWA's priorities call for an employer mandate, measures to protect retirees, a public option and no taxes on workers' health benefits and plans. "Health care reform is something we must do," she said.

Sessions focused on ways to establish effective women's committees, bring more young workers into the labor movement, how CWA women are leading in our union, and social networking and other new tools to reach the next generation of women workers.

In a unique presentation, members of the National Women's Committee dressed as famous and pioneering American women, including Mother Jones and Harriet Tubman, to bring to life their efforts in the fight for women's equality.

Participants also heard from CWA President Larry Cohen, District 6 Vice President Andy Milburn and Madelyn Elder, an at-large executive board member.

Members of the National Women’s Committee are Kathleen Hernandez, chair, District 1, Local 1031; Claudia Cole, District 2, Local 2336; Vonda Hardy, District 3, Local 3640; Angie Miller, District 4, Local 4108; Virginia Anderson-Dunbar, District 6, Local 6300; Shari Wojtowicz, District 7, Local 7250; Gayle Crawley, District 9, Local 9410 and Mary Behling, District 13, Local 13301.