The future of the movement went live this week when the 2019 WILL Empower apprenticeship program gathered at Georgetown University in Washington, DC for their initial training.  Nine women came together for the three-day event which featured a deep dive into context for the workers’ justice movement, labor history, using an intersectional lens and current movement challenges and strategies.

“I have been to several trainings, conferences, and retreats, and this has been my favorite… It was quite a beautiful and transformative experience to be around … so many other womxn leading in the labor movement. I am grateful for such an opportunity,” wrote Genesis Torres, a WILL Empower apprentice working with the NC State AFL-CIO. 

The training featured a Women’s Labor Leadership panel and discussion with Sara Steffens, Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) and WILL Empower Advisory Council member, Brittany Smith, Field Manager, Political Action at AFSCME, and Scarlet Jimenez, Comptroller for UFCW Local 400. 

The apprentices attended a public screening of the documentary Councilwoman about a UNITE HERE member and housekeeper who wins a city council election in Providence, Rhode Island.  The screening was sponsored by WILL Empower, and co-sponsored by Georgetown University’s Gender Justice Initiative and the Kalmanovitz Initiative.  In addition, the apprentices got a primer in Bargaining for the Common Good from Dr. Joe McCartin, director of the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor, and Marilyn Sneiderman, director of the Center for Innovation in Worker Organization at Rutgers University SMLR. 

On Saturday, the group gathered at the home of Marilyn Sneiderman to meet other women involved with WILL Empower, including some of their mentors,  and to join to 5^th Annual Women’s Brunch Potluck, co-hosted with United Students Against Sweatshops. 

The WILL Empower apprenticeship is a unique, paid opportunity for women to explore a career with a union or other kind of worker rights organization.  Apprentices may work in a variety of roles, including as organizers, researchers, communicators and campaigners. Each apprentice has a female mentor within her host organization, as well as an “external mentor,” a female mentor from another movement organization.   Each apprenticeship placement lasts between three and twelve months.

“We were so pleased with the high demand for the apprenticeship program; we nearly doubled the size of our class over last year,” said Lane Windham, WILL Empower co-director.  “We’re also thrilled that a majority of the placements are in the South.” 

“It is inspiring to see such a diverse group of women choosing to fight for worker justice in such a challenging climate,” said Sheri Davis, WILL Empower co-director. “This group recognizes the importance of having a crew and seems to value being part of a strong network of women activists and leaders.”

Sweetrica Baker is working with the Central Labor Council of Memphis and West Tennessee as anorganizer and assistant secretary.  Her internal mentor is Gail Tyree, board member of the Memphis Labor Council and Executive Director of AFSCME Local 1733.  Her external mentor is Vonda McDaniel, president of the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. 

 Azani Creeks is working with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) doing research in Washington, DC.  Elissa Laitin, IBT Campaigns Communications Coordinator is her internal mentor.  Sarah McKenzie, Solidarity Center Director of Programming and Trade Union Strengthening, is her external mentor. 

Lori Danley is organizing with United Campus Workers / Communications Workers of America (UCW / CWA) in Nashville, Tennessee.  Her internal mentor is Cassie Watters, lead organizer for UCW / CWA.  Her external mentor is Callie Jennings, attorney with Branstetter, Stranch & Jennings, PLLC in Nashville.

Rebecca Hu is working with the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) in Washington, DC. Her internal mentor is Alvinah Yeh, APALA director.  Her external mentor is Heather Laverty, Campaign Organizer with the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Courtney Ricketts is working with the Central Labor Council of Memphis and West Tennessee, and is helping to build up the local Memphis A. Philip Randolph Institute chapter.  Her internal mentor is Rose Turner, board member of the Memphis Labor Council, and organizing director of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1529.  Her external mentor is Anne Barnett, Affiliate and Campaign Coordinator with the Central Labor Council of Nashville and Central Tennessee. 

Emily Rosenzweig is organizing in New York City with the Street Vendor Project, which is part of the Urban Justice Center.  Her internal mentor is Sara Hobler, lead organizer with the Street Vendor Project.  Her external mentor is Kim Cook, faculty member at Cornell University’s ILR Worker Institute. 

Lily Ryan is working with Bargaining for the Common Good Network in Washington, DC.  Her internal mentor is Carrie Sloan, research director of ACRE (Action Center on Race and the Economy). Her external mentor is Sarah David-Heydemann, Senior Counsel at the National Women’s Law Center. 

Tamani Simmons is working as a researcher with Jobs to Move America in Birmingham, Alabama.  Her internal mentor is Alyssa Carodine, Senior Researcher / Campaigner for Jobs to Move America.  Her external mentor is Jessica Vosburgh, director of the Adelante Alabama Worker Center in Birmingham.

Genesis Torres is working with the North Carolina State AFL-CIO in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Her internal mentor is MaryBe McMillan, president of the NC AFL-CIO.  Her external mentor is Trisha Pande, an attorney with Patterson, Harkavy, LLP in Chapel Hill, NC. 

For more information on becoming an apprentice or hosting an apprentice, contact willempower.labor@gmail.com