I am a lifelong Tacoma resident where I live with my family and 110-pound chocolate lab in the gritty city I’m proud to call home. As a lifelong Washingtonian, I have seen first-hand the profound impact that Labor Unions have on the lives of workers, families, and communities. I was raised by a single mother of three, who was actively involved in her Union, WFSE local 793. My mother’s Union job as a psychiatric security attendant at Western State Hospital got our family off welfare and gave us economic dignity for the first time. Her Union pension allowed her to retire with financial security, and she is living her best life because she was able to join a Union. That is the American Dream.

Our ability to have upward mobility as a family was directly tied to my mom’s union job. The union gave her, and so many others like her, a voice and an opportunity to provide for her family in a way that was based on equity and equality. It is what has cemented my belief in the power of working people organizing together and is why I have dedicated my life’s work to affirming that power.

My union journey began in 2002. I was excited to sign my Union card. I got involved in my Union and became a WFSE shop steward, elected union officer, and eventually a union staffer. I joined the WSLC in 2015, after serving as the Legislative & Policy Action Field Coordinator for Washington Federation of State Employees where I was responsible for member education, organization, and mobilization. At the WSLC I had the privilege to serve as both the Political & Strategic Campaigns Director and Field Mobilization Director.

I was elected Secretary Treasurer of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO by its affiliated unions in December 2018, beginning my four-year term on January 5, 2019. I am the first woman of color and the first black person to be elected as a WSLC executive officer.

Now, I am planning to make history again! With your help, I will be the nation’s first black woman to hold the title of President of a State Labor Council, but more importantly – together we will build our future. A labor movement that is bold and creative, strategic and innovative – a fighting, inclusive movement that lifts the voices of all workers, families, and communities.

Accomplishments:

• With President Larry Brown, oversaw WSLC’s coordinated COVID response, providing advocacy and resources to front line and essential workers across affiliates
• Helped develop and lead nationally-recognized Race and Labor Program
• Increased staff capacity and expanded communication and digital organizing to allow the WSLC to more effectively advocate for working families
• Facilitated initial President’s Organizing Initiative meetings, leading to significant organizing capacity in King County
• Lead affiliate growth increasing union membership across WSLC’s locals and councils
• Spearheaded WSLC’s ground-breaking work on racial justice through our Race and Labor Program and ongoing workshops
• Successfully advocated for the health, safety, and security of workers across our state in Olympia, including on behalf of Intalco workers in Ferndale
• Established and expanded access to Foundation for Working Families Grants to assist union families in times of hardship or disaster
• Prioritized the educational and workforce development needs of Washington’s workers and industries through the Washington State Training and Apprenticeship Council
• Serves as an Administrative Law Judge on the State’s Apprentice Council
• Worked with the President Larry Brown to develop and implement a strategic plan that increases membership, economic growth, and advocacy in Olympia.
• First person representing labor and first woman of color to serve on the State Redistricting Commission
• Co-chair the national AFL-CIO Reimagining Federated Bodies Sub Committee
• Appointed to the national AFL-CIO Racial Justice Committee
• Managed the Washington Works Together table to fight back on anti-public sector union worker attacks
• Proven track records of coalition building
• As Secretary Treasurer, increased the reserve balance by more than 800%, while growing programs and adding staff positions
• Serves on the following boards:
  • One America
  • Win Win
  • Re: power
  • Washington Environmental Council
  • Economic Policy Institute