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.
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