Women Making a Difference

Women Making a Difference!!.. was the theme of this years, Teamsters Woman's convention held in Phoenix, Arizona. 750 women, and some men, were welcomed with the marching of the flags and wonderful singing of three nation’s anthems.

Cheryl Johnson, President of the IBT Human rights commission and International Women's Caucus, welcomed us all with open arms. We were graced by a performance of local native Yellow Bird dancers, as well as the State Congressman and Local Mayor.

We heard from incredible women on different panels each day! Women Officers and Titan operators, women in non-traditional roles and women organizers.

Each one of which is "making a difference."

I attended workshops, which will be beneficial in my days to come, from “Writing a newsletter” to “Women's health issues”. What a feeling of empowerment knowing that all these men and women are behind each other, regardless of our different jobs, we are all Teamsters, and that is a feeling of Solidarity that I have never felt before, and am proud to be a part of now.

My Favorite inspirational speaker was General President James P. Hoffa. He spoke of “Strength in Unity” and the power of the Teamsters. He discussed Hurricane Katrina and all the relief work the Teamsters did there (which gave me goosebumps!).

He also spoke to the importance of organizing; which, we as fairly new Teamsters, recognize as becoming a part of an "Effective Force."

President Hoffa touched on the necessity of marking and returning your ballot in the current election, having our voices heard by Corporate Wranglers, that we are Present and United in working towards a common goal of fair wages and benefits for workers who are trying to make ends meet in this time of corporate greed!

Overall I feel as though I have been recharged, This was truly a Learning experience as well as a lesson in Strength and Unity.

So now I will go to the Mail box pick up my ballot, mark my choice with confidence, that not only will I be Heard, but in times of need I will be supported by not only the many strong women that I met at the convention, but also by the most Powerful Union in North America.

In strength and solidarity,
sincerely

Melanie Boyko,

TCRC MWED- Human Rights Representative/ Pacific region