by SEIU Local 99 Early Education Executive Board Members Gayle Williams and LaRonda Davison
Both served on the “Early Educators Empower” Conference Planning Committee
Teachers, Head Start Workers, Preschool Assistants, Family Child Care Providers and other Local 99 members working in Early Education came together at the beautiful Manhattan Beach Marriott on Saturday, March 10, 2012, to be empowered—get informed, feel solidarity with one another, gain hope and insight—so that we can better empower the children and families we serve.
Many members who attended signed up to go to Sacramento on April 18 to advocate for children and families who would be devastated by the budget cuts the Governor proposed. We welcome all SEIU Local 99 members to join us on that trip.
We planned this conference because early educators are facing many challenges in these difficult economic times. We see the impact of the economic crisis in our worksites, with the families and children we work with, and in our own lives. We came to the conference to find solutions!
Conference Highlights
- Tom Woodruff, Executive Vice President of our International Union, spoke to us about why we are experiencing budget cuts to our programs. He spoke passionately about the injustice of hugely profitable corporations dodging their taxes. When Wall Street and the rich don’t pay their fair share, important programs like preschool and child care don’t have the funds they need. “The American Dream didn’t die,” explained Woodruff. “It was murdered.” Income inequality, he said, is the issue of our lifetime. He told us he saw real leadership in every one of us in the room and challenged us to spend it on SEIU’s fight for a fair economy for all.
- Congresswoman Karen Bass was our keynote speaker at our luncheon. She explained that she is an old friend to Local 99, first meeting us when she formed the Community Coalition 22 years ago. “We are the richest country on the planet in the history of the world,” said the Congresswoman. “So why doesn’t everyone have health care, a good education, a nice place to live, and a good job?” Her challenge to us is to fight for these things we value—for the children we teach, their families, and our families.
- All attendees had opportunities to attend breakout workshops, including: Dealing with Stress on the Job, Working with Challenging Children, Lobbying the Early Education Budget, Nutrition, Know Your Rights/Being an Advocate/Worksite Leader, and Steward Training It was a great day for us to become more informed and active union members. I know we will continue to get involved and make our voices heard.
Watch the Early Educators Empower Video
View photos from the Conference
Be sure to check our SEIU Local 99 Events Calendar often for opportunities to learn and be active.
