CLUW Celebrates 50th Anniversary

The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) celebrated its 50th-anniversary celebration and education conference in Niagara Falls, NY on May 8-11, 2024. 

The anniversary celebration included dynamic speakers such as National AFL-CIO President Elizabeth Schuler.  She provided a powerful message and addressed how the future of women's rights is on the ballot.  President Schuler also held a meeting with the CLUW National Officers Council to brainstorm and discuss ideas for outreach and participation in the election. 

The conference opened with a rousing morning plenary with remarks from NYS Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. 

APWU Political Director and CLUW Treasurer Judy Beard held a motivating GOTV call to action.  Information was shared regarding key races in battleground states and how CLUW will have boots on the ground, voices on the phone, texting, and sending postcards. 

Greetings were brought from NY Attorney General Letitia James via video message.   She congratulated CLUW on its anniversary and encouraged the organization to continue the fight that began 50 years ago. 

Day two of the conference was filled with educational workshops such as Public Speaking, Robert’s Rules of Order, Saving Democracy, and Self-Defense for Women.  

The conference concluded with a celebration gala where several founding members of CLUW were in attendance and delivered remarks about the 1974 convention. 

50 years later, CLUW continues to fight for workers’ rights by promoting its core objectives: empowering women in the labor movement, organizing the unorganized, promoting social and economic justice in the workplace, and increasing participation of women in the political and legislative processes.

(L-R) Shaunna Winton (SPEEA), Serena Lam (SPEEA), Elizabeth Schuler (National AFL-CIO President), Karen Bellamy Lewis (IFPTE Rep/CLUW VP), Gordon Yi (SPEEA)