Teamster Sisters Build Solidarity
The 2009 Teamsters Women’s Conference closed on a high note Saturday afternoon, as Antonio Christian, Director of the Teamsters Human Rights Commission, sang songs of solidarity to the crowd of Teamster sisters in attendance. With a strong and skillful voice, Christian led the women in song, and in the speech that followed, commended the women for moving the Teamsters Union forward.
“The Teamsters have a rich history in social justice, and the charisma and strength of Teamster women is inspiring,” Christian said, noting that Teamster contracts are gender-blind and color-blind, and that throughout history, Teamsters have been at the forefront of the fight for civil and human rights.
The Teamster women also heard from Lisa Kinard, Director of the International Union Federal Legislation and Regulation Department. Kinard spoke about the importance of raising the stakes through legislation, such as health care reform.
Kinard was followed at the podium by Dr. Elaine Bernard, Director of the Labor and Work Life Program at Harvard University. Dr. Bernard spoke on the state of the labor movement in the United States and Canada; the need for unions today; and the importance of member activism.
Teamster Activists
Following this presentation, a panel of Teamster activists shared stories of their involvement in their union and in their communities.
Renee Hinson, a member of Local 728 in Atlanta, took part in the panel. Hinson is a co-founder and member of Teamsters for Tomorrow, a group that is actively working to build and encourage the involvement of Teamster youth in the future of the union. The group was founded at the 2008 Teamsters Women’s Conference.
“Although Teamsters for Tomorrow is 35 and under, it takes each and every one of you in this room to build our future,” Hinson said. “We’re working to put together youth summits, to help out in the community, to reach students and let everyone know the difference that being a Teamster makes.”
The 980 Teamster women who attended the three-day conference are now returning to their hometowns, taking back the knowledge and motivation they’ve gained to their coworkers, local unions and communities, until they meet again next year. The 2010 Teamsters Women’s Conference will be held in Minneapolis.