Public Employee Press

Roberts honored for lifetime achievement

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts was honored Oct. 31 by Brooklyn's 57th Assembly District Leader Olanike Alabi.

Roberts received the District's Lifetime Achievement Award, which New York City Comptroller John C. Liu presented in a ceremony held at the House of Art gallery. In addition, Brooklyn Congress member Ed Towns presented a Congressional proclamation honoring Roberts.

"It's an honor to be acknowledged by the people of Brooklyn, where so many of our union members live," said Roberts at the ceremony.

A native of Chicago and a former hospital aide, she was the first black woman on the Executive Board of DC 37's national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. In New York Roberts served as associate director of DC 37 and led historic organizing drives that won union rights and contracts for thousands of DC 37 members. In 2002 she was unanimously elected as executive director.

Local 1219 President Shirley Williams, Political Action Committee Chair and Local 2021 President Lenny Allen, Political Action Director Wanda Williams and recently elected State Supreme Court Judge Rachel Adams were at the award ceremony to honor Roberts.