#USHLIConference Latina Labor Leaders to Address Forum Latinas in the Labor Movement

The USHLI National Conference, will present a forum on Latinas in the Labor Movement from 2:45-4:15pm on Friday, February 13. This Forum is intended to feature three prominent Latinas in the labor movement - Esther Lopez, Kathy Chavez and Cindy Estrada, giving each panelist the opportunity to educate conference participants on specific campaigns currently underway, organizing efforts, community outreach, community engagement, and union legislative priorities that could include the hazards of student loans and the importance of extending DACA, securing passage of the DREAM Act, and comprehensive immigration reform.    Esther Lopez is Executive Vice President of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) and a leading champion of working men and women, immigrants, and all families seeking a better life. In her previous and current position at the UFCW, she has positioned the union on the frontlines fighting against voter suppression, working to end exploitation of refugees from countries like Burma, Sudan and Somalia, creating more opportunities for women, and expanding LGBT equality. Esther is best known for her leadership on comprehensive immigration reform, recognizing the issue as central to civil, human, and labor rights. During her tenure as Director of the Civil Rights and Community Action Department at the UFCW, more women and minorities were hired and promoted into positions of power.   Kathy Chavez is president of the Albuquerque Educational Assistants Association (AEAA), executive vice president of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) New Mexico and serves as an AFT National Vice President. Chavez began her career as a bus driver and went on to work with medically fragile children at Casa Angelica. After joining Albuquerque's Educational Assistants Association, she climbed through the ranks to where she is today. Among her many accomplishments is the securing passage of legislation that was signed into law by then-Governor Bill Richardson that established a minimum pay plan for educational assistants. Kathy is a staunch advocate for public education, immigration, children and families. Cindy Estrada was elected Vice President of the United Auto Workers (UAW) in 2010, the first Latina elected to serve as an international officer.  The longtime union organizer developed a passion for the labor movement while listening to her grandparents and other family members talk about their experiences working on farms and inside the factories of Detroit. Their stories guided her dedication to empower workers. After graduating from the University of Michigan, she began organizing.  Climbing the ranks Cindy helped establish minimum industry-wide compensation standards and improve worker job security. In 2014 she was assigned to lead the General Motors Department, making her the first woman and first Latina to do so.   Click here to register for the National Conference and click here to see a 90-second video featuring highlights from past conferences.

When Thursday, February 12 - Sunday, February 15, 20155 Where Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers 301 East North Water Street. Chicago, IL 60611 Quick Links Agenda Conference Video Southwest Airlines® Promo Hotel Map FAQ's Contact Us Official Airline & National Conference Co-Chair Forum Sponsors Follow Us!     #USHLIConference

#USHLIConference David Harris and Henry Cisneros to Address Forum Latino and Jewish Commonalities

The USHLI National Conference, will present a forum on Latino and Jewish Commonalities from 2:45-4:15pm on Friday, February 13.  This Forum will feature two nationally prominent leaders, David Harris and Henry Cisneros, who will focus on how Latinos and Jews can strengthen their respective communities by drawing on their collective strengths.  Who we are today has been shaped by powerful commonalities our communities have historically shared, e.g. an uncompromising commitment to cultural preservation, a history of enduring oppression, an abiding determination to defend civil and human rights and religious freedom, and a sense of brotherhood in the struggle against injustice, discrimination, and intolerance.   David Harris is recognized in America and throughout the world as "the foreign minister of the Jewish people," and as "the consummate Jewish diplomat of our time."  Under his leadership, the American Jewish Committee has been referred to as the "dean of American Jewish organizations" and the "most effective, influential, and respected" American Jewish organization. He has been honored 14 times by 10 governments for his defense of human rights.   Henry Cisneros is Chairman of CityView companies, which has worked in partnership with urban homebuilders to build 7,000 affordable homes for working families in 60 communities in 13 states.  He served three terms on the San Antonio City Council and four terms as mayor. He served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton Administration and as President and COO of Univision Communications. Click here to register for the National Conference and click here to see a 90-second video featuring highlights from past conferences.

When Thursday, February 12 - Sunday, February 15, 2015 Where Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers 301 East North Water Street. Chicago, IL 60611 Quick Links Agenda Conference Video Southwest Airlines® Promo Hotel Map FAQ's Contact Us Official Arline & National Conference Co-Chair Forum Sponsor Follow Us!      #USHLIConference

Win 2nd Early Registration Raffle at #USHLIConference!

A 2nd Raffle Winner will be announced on February 6. To qualify, all groups of 10 must have pre-registered and pre-paid online. The winning group of 10 will receive VIP seating at all (5) major functions.  To enter the Raffle, please click here to pre-register and pre-pay for your group of 10.  The 33rd USHLI National Conference will be held February 12-15, 2015, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in Chicago, IL.  We are expecting a full house again this year of 6,000-7,000 present and future leaders representing 40 states.  As in years past, over 80% will be 18-34 years of age, over 60% will be women, and over 80% will be college students or recent graduates.  It's going to be a great celebration featuring nationally prominent speakers, expert presenters, exhibits and graduate school expo, and great entertainment. Southwest Airlines is USHLI's Official Airline.  Please show your support for the Latino community's #1 airline by making your flight reservations on Southwest Airlines and using the Discount Code to receive our special rate.  For more information, please call USHLI at 312.427.8683.

When Thursday, February 12 - Sunday, February 15, 2015 Where Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers 301 East North Water Street. Chicago, IL 60611 Quick Links Agenda Conference Video Southwest Airlines® Promo Hotel Map FAQ's Contact Us Official Airline & National Conference Co-Chair Follow Us!      #USHLIConference

Chicago Teachers Union President @KarenLewisCTU to Receive Dolores C. Huerta Woman of Courage Medallion #USHLIConference

Karen GJ Lewis, President of Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) Local 1, will be honored at the Latina Empowerment Breakfast.  President Lewis will receive the Dolores C. Huerta Woman of Courage Medallion at the 33rd USHLI National Conference, which will be held February 12-15, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers.  President Lewis will be honored at the opening session at 8:30am on Friday, February 13.  The award was established in 2013 in recognition of Dolores Huerta's lifelong commitment to social and economic justice, civil and human rights, community organizing, immigration reform, women's rights, workplace safety and worker protection, and equal employment opportunity for over six decades.     President Lewis was elected president of the 30,000-member Chicago Teachers Union in 2010. A member of CTU since 1988, she taught high school chemistry in the Chicago Public Schools for 22 years after graduating from Dartmouth College. President Lewis is the only National Board Certified Teacher to lead a U.S. labor union and serves as executive vice president to the Illinois Federation of Teachers and as vice president of the American Federation of Teachers. Her goal is to truly improve Chicago Public Schools and stand firmly against the privatization of public education. A survey of our conference participants in 2014 found over 81% to be 18-34 years of age, over 60% to be women, and over 89% to be in college or graduates, and they are the next generation of Latino leaders. Over 6,000 past, present and future leaders representing 40 states are expected to attend over the three and one-half days of the conference.  Click here to register for the National Conference and click here to see a 90-seconds video featuring highlights from past conferences.

When Thursday, February 12 - Sunday, February 15, 2015 Where Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers 301 East North Water Street. Chicago, IL 60611 Quick Links Agenda Conference Video Southwest Airlines® Promo Hotel Map FAQ's Contact Us Official Airline & National Conference Co-Chair Latina Empowerment Breakfast Sponsors Follow Us!      #USHLIConference

Hon. @LorenaSGonzalez to Keynote Latina Empowerment Breakfast #USHLIConference

Lorena Gonzalez, Assemblywoman for California's 80th District, will be the featured speaker at the Latina Empowerment Breakfast. Assemblywoman Gonzalez will be the opening speaker at the 33rd USHLI National Conference, which will be held February 12-15, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers. Over 6,000 present and future leaders representing 40 states are expected to attend various events during the 3-day conference. Assemblywoman Gonzalez will address the opening session at 8:30am on Friday, February 13. The Dolores Huerta Woman of Courage Award will also be presented during the opening session. Assemblywoman Gonzalez, the daughter of an immigrant farmworker and a nurse, learned the value of hard work and determination at an early age. After graduating from public school in San Diego County, she earned a Bachelor's Degree from Stanford University, a Master's Degree from Georgetown University and a Law Degree from UCLA. She is a member of the California State Bar. Elected in 2013, Assemblywoman Gonzalez has worked for safeguards against immigration fraud, to allow qualified DREAMERs who pass the State Bar exam to practice law, and to allow 6.5 million single workers to earn paid sick leave (which made CA the first state in the nation to guarantee earned sick days to every worker). The consummate trailblazer, Assemblywoman Gonzalez was the first woman and first person of color elected CEO and Secretary-Treasurer for the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council since the Council was organized in 1891. In 2014 she received the CA State Bar Association's first Presidential Recognition Award for Public Service. For all her accomplishments, Assemblywoman Gonzalez's most cherished title is that of mother. Her daughter, Tierra, is studying Journalism at New York University and her son, Antonio, is in middle school in San Diego. She lives in San Diego's City Heights neighborhood. Click here to register for the National Conference and click here to see a 90-seconds video featuring highlights from past conferences.

When Thursday, February 12 - Sunday, February 15, 2015 Where Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers 301 East North Water Street. Chicago, IL 60611 Quick Links Agenda Conference Video Southwest Airlines® Promo Hotel Map FAQ's Contact Us Official Airline National Conference Co-Chair Breakfast Sponsors Follow Us!      #USHLIConference