Public Employee Press

Women's History Month at DC 37
Learning from our labors

BABIES AND BANNERS: Women organized a lot more than the soup kitchens that fed hungry strikers in the 1937 General Motors strike that won bargaining rights for the United Auto Workers. Forty years later, the women reunited to discuss the relevance of the actions they took to help win the strike and make the union strong. Children were also on the picket line.

By JANE LaTOUR

Born out of the desire to preserve the lessons of the past and put them to use in the present, the celebration of women’s history has grown from one week to a full month. For DC 37’s commemoration in March, locals held events featuring speakers, films, music and poetry.

The Women’s Committee of Municipal Hospital Employees Local 420 came attired in red March 18 to honor the publication of a book of poems, “Comfortable in My Skin,” by Geneva Burch. “We have to celebrate our sisters,” said President Carmen Charles, speaking of her pride in Burch’s “remarkable achievements.” In 12 years at Local 420, Burch has graduated from college, raised a family and completed her book of poems.

“Women of Gospel Music” was the theme for MTA Clerical-Administrative Employees Local 1655’s March 19 event, featuring guest performers Marilyn Alleyne-White and Euda Gary and the Chanting Cherubs. Committee Chair Nona Twiggs spoke about the significance of honoring women’s achievements, and members gave a reading of Maya Angelou’s poem, “Still I Rise.”

Electronic Data Processing Personnel Local 2627 put the past front and center and connected it to the present March 24 by showing the award-winning film “With Babies and Banners.” The movie documents a forgotten chapter of labor history, when women — housewives with babies, workers, and unionists — organized militant support for the sit-in strikers at a huge General Motors auto production plant in Flint, Mich. While strikers won the right to organize, the actions of the Women’s Emergency Brigade were soon forgotten. The local Women’s Committee followed the movie with a quiz and gave prizes for correct answers. Second Vice President Gary Goff set up a display of books for the event that highlighted trade union women’s contributions to the labor movement.

Local 420’s Geneva Burch is all smiles on March 18 as she signs copies of her new poetry book, “Comfortable in My Skin.” Burch read “Beautiful People” and “The Essence That Is Me.”

Health Services Employees Local 768 brought the month to a grand conclusion March 31 at an event featuring DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts and DC 37 Women’s Committee Chair and Local 957 President Walthene Primus. The celebration included music, impromptu dancing, a delicious meal, and health education materials as handouts. The decorated tables featured photos of “phenomenal women” of the past and present.

“I want to thank these phenomenal women,” Roberts said. “You have to have patience. Today, we women are running for all kinds of positions.” Primus said chairing the Women’s Committee was “a joy” and invited all union women to participate.

Zelma Brown, Iona Allen, Rhodell Felder and Council Rep Cynthia Keyes-Padilla were honored for their many contributions to the local and DC 37 as the event provided a fun, festive, and inspiring conclusion to the Women’s History Month celebrations.