From May 22nd – May 24th, 2022, past and current Political Directors and labor activists gathered at Rutgers University. CIWO partnered with the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at the Rutgers University Eagleton Institute. Leaders from the following worker justice organizations were in attendance: SEIU 503, United Working Families, Chicago Teachers Union, Washington State Labor Council, The Workers Institute at Cornell University, SEIU 2015, SEIU International, Detroit Action, the Institute for Policy Studies, the NYC Central Labor Council, and AFSCME.
During this 3-day retreat style gathering, leaders engaged in the following:
- “Pathways to Power” discussion featuring past political directors and labor activists who are in elected/selected leadership roles in unions, academia, and municipalities:
- April Sims, Secretary-Treasurer Washington State Labor Council;
- Stacy Davis-Gates, President Elect of the Chicago Teacher’s Union;
- Patricia Campos-Medina, Executive Director of the Workers Institute at Cornell University;
- Dahlia Vertreese, Mayor of Hillside NJ and Labor Liaison with IUOE.
- Interactive exercises led by Dr. Sheri Davis-Faulkner, CIWO Associate Director (WILL Empower Co-Director), as well as Kimberly Peeler-Allen, CAWP Visiting Practitioner (Higher Heights Co-Founder).
- Wellness and community building practices were incorporated throughout the convening.
