Easterling Elected President of Alliance for Retired Americans

Retired CWA Secretary-Treasurer Barbara Easterling was elected president of the Alliance for Retired Americans, carrying on work she started when she founded CWA's Retired Members' Council. The ARA is an organization allied with the AFL-CIO.

Easterling said her priorities as president include educating retirees and lawmakers on ways to strengthen Medicare, lower prescription drug costs and preserve Social Security for generations.

"Our economy is in crisis and our health care system is in dire need of reform – it is more important than ever that we educate and mobilize retirees on these issues," she said.

Easterling began her career as a telephone operator in Akron, Ohio, and retired as CWA secretary-treasurer in 2008.