This November the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) hosted its 23rd Biennial Convention in San Diego. Attendees embarked on electing new officers, updating the organization’s constitution, adopting resolutions, and attending informative workshops. AFGE’s delegation of dedicated union activists were proud to be in attendance and are committed to shaping CLUW’s future.
This year’s convention welcomed nearly 400 delegates and guests. A day of workshops was held that instructed attendees on a variety of topics including Roberts Rules of Order, wellness, the history of women in labor, workplace protections for women’s rights, understanding the fight for justice for international garment workers, organizing new CLUW chapters, along with how to run an effective chapter and election.
Attendees heard from dynamic speakers including California Federation of Labor President Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Yvonne Wheeler, and California Assemblymember Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins.
Our very own AFGE delegates hosted a panel called “The Impact of the Federal Government Shutdown.” This discussion was moderated by AFGE District 14 National Women’s Advisory Coordinator Tyra McClelland and included remarks from AFGE Local 12 President LaRhonda Gamble, AFGE Local 2429 Executive Secretary and Women’s and Fair Practice Coordinator Rosie Manning, and AFGE National Human Rights Committee Chair Yvonne Renee Evans.
At the convention, key resolutions were passed including recognition of the situation in Gaza, a call to organize a Union Day of Solidarity and Rally, a pledge to support union siblings in the federal sector, a pledge to support the union sisters in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, an endorsement of the Target boycott, a call for an end to the military occupation in Washington, and pledging to mobilize in defense of immigrants.
During the convention, Tyra McClelland was elected as the National Vice President representing AFGE on CLUW’s National Officers Council. Additionally, LaRhonda Gamble and Jeanette McElhaney were elected as AFGE’s delegates to the CLUW National Executive Board, while Rosie Manning will serve as the alternate.
“I am incredibly proud that our own Tyra McClelland was elected to the CLUW national executive board as national vice president – filling one of 18 positions on a board representing more than 64 affiliated national and international labor unions,” said AFGE National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices Dr. Kendrick Roberson. “Tyra McClelland’s work as the chair of AFGE’s national women’s advisory coordinators, her steadfast dedication to organizing AFGE women, and her relentless efforts to promote women’s rights in the workplace has always been phenomenal. Chair McClelland, backed by AFGE’s Women and Fair Practices Department, continues to ensure women are represented well within AFGE and within the broader labor movement. Through our Sister’s Keeper Community, and through our national women’s program, we fully recognize that the fight for equity in the workplace for women continues, and we use all resources available to ensure fairness at our jobs and within our communities."
“As this administration is trying to shut down the federal government, they can try to shut us down but can’t shut us up. We are the voice for the voiceless, and partnerships with constituency groups provides support in our missions and goals,” said Tyra McClelland.
“Our convention was very informative. Especially our guest speakers whose topics were: ‘Fight the Heist’ Global Labor Justice and International Garment Workers; Kaiser Permanente Nurses Strike; and our very own AFGE Panel Discussion: Government Shutdown. Tyra McClelland was the moderator and Yvonne Renee Evans, Rosie Manning and LaRhonda Gamble were the panelists,” said Jennifer Grigsby, CLUW national recording secretary emerita.
“The 23rd Biennial Convention was amazing and I’m grateful I was able to attend as a delegate for AFGE. The conference allowed me to work well with the Media/Technology Committee as their chairperson while we all collected videos and photos. Observing the Robert’s Rules of Order in person created knowledge that I will utilize at our AFGE Local 2429 meetings,” said Rosie Manning.
“I have been a member of AFGE since 2008, and during that time, I have attended many conventions and conferences. Unfortunately, I have never attended a CLUW convention until this year in San Diego. Most certainly, this will not be my last! The energy throughout the convention, from the workshops to the convention floor, was remarkable. It was absolutely a pleasure as a woman of AFGE to be around some of the most dynamic women in the labor movement. I thank the outgoing Executive Board for all your years of dedication and work in the movement, which will continue to live on for many years to come. Finally, I would like to congratulate the newly elected Executive Board. We all look forward to working beside you under your leadership,” said Yvonne Renee Evans.
“It has been an honor to represent AFGE as an active member of CLUW. I’m a member of the Constitution Committee and was chair of the Sergeant-at-Arms Committee for 2025. I was also elected as one of AFGE’s delegates at the 23rd Biennial Convention. I would like to encourage more AFGE women to become active members and support this great organization,” said Jeanette McElhaney, AFGE Local 987 treasurer.
“Attending my first CLUW National Convention in November 2025 was a truly inspiring and transformative experience. As a Lifetime Member, I was honored to witness the power of women trade unionists from across the labor movement – AFGE, SEIU, AFT, UAW, UFCW, IAM, and so many more – coming together with a shared commitment to advocacy, leadership, and equity in the workplace. The convention provided meaningful opportunities for networking, coalition-building, and learning from seasoned organizers and emerging leaders alike. Workshops on economic justice, reproductive rights, legislative priorities, organizing strategies, and member engagement offered practical tools that I can bring back to my own union community. The plenary sessions amplified the voices of women who are fighting on the front lines for worker protections, dignity, and stronger labor standards nationwide. While at the Convention, I had the tremendous honor of being elected as the AFGE Delegate to the National Executive Board for CLUW, an appointment made even more special because it came with the full confidence and support of my fellow AFGE delegates. This role represents both a responsibility and a privilege: to elevate the concerns of AFGE women across the country, strengthen alliances within the broader labor movement, and help shape the direction of CLUW at the national level. Beyond the formal meetings, the sisterhood and solidarity were felt everywhere, from informal conversations and mentorship moments to shared stories of triumph, challenge, and resilience. Attending the CLUW Convention reaffirmed why spaces like these are essential for women in labor. It is where leaders are cultivated, partnerships are forged, voices are amplified, and the next generation of women activists find inspiration. I left the Convention motivated, empowered, and deeply grateful for the opportunity to represent AFGE at the national level as we continue the work of advancing women’s rights, strengthening unions, and uplifting working families across the country,” said LaRhonda Gamble.
“Experiencing my first CLUW Convention reminded me that when women in the labor movement come together, we don’t just make change; we make history. In realizing that I wasn’t just joining any labor organization, but I was joining a community that believes in my voice and my power. I am so proud to be a member of the Metropolitan D.C. CLUW Chapter,” said Octavia Hall, executive assistant to AFGE’s national vice president for women and fair practices.
AFGE would like to congratulate the newly elected leadership of CLUW: National President Sylvia J. Ramos (CWA), Executive Vice President Rachel Walthall (APWU), Treasurer Marilyn J. Wiley (CWA), Recording Secretary Ashley Lewis (UAW) and Corresponding Secretary Karen Bellamy Lewis (IFPTE). As the outgoing leadership did not run for reelection, we honor CLUW President Emerita Elise Bryant and AFGE’s own Jennifer Grigsby, previously serving as CLUW recording secretary, for their years of service to the coalition.
AFGE leaders and activists are encouraged to join CLUW. More information on membership can be found at www.cluw.org. Interested members can also reach out to Tyra McClelland at [email protected].
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