Congratulations to our very own AFGE President Everett Kelley who has been chosen as the recipient of the AFL-CIO’s Eyes on the Prize Award during the 2022 AFL-CIO Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil and Human Rights Conference!
The award was given to a leader who has exemplified an unyielding commitment to social justice, civil rights, and workers’ rights. The MLK conference was held Jan. 16-17 to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.
“Your dedication to the ongoing fight for working people is an inspiration to so many throughout our movement and we are proud to recognize you for your contribution,” said the AFL-CIO in an announcement.
President Kelley thanked AFGE members and leaders, AFL-CIO President Shuler, Secretary-Treasurer Redmond, Civil, Human, and Women’s Rights Director Brown, and everyone at the AFL-CIO who helped put this program together and make this award possible.
“I feel truly blessed to have spent so much of my life and career in the pursuit of social justice, civil rights, and workers’ rights at AFGE. To be recognized for doing what I love – what I’m passionate about – serving the 700,000 government workers we represent – is enormously gratifying,” Kelley said in his acceptance speech.
“As a labor movement, every day we are faced with new challenges. And every day we are faced with a choice. Are we going to let those challenges divide and distract us? To weaken our movement? Or are we going to unite on the right side of history? To keep our eyes on the prize? And to move forward, as one union, as one united labor movement, for dignity and justice for all? Brothers and sisters, I’m keeping my eye on the prize. I hope you are, too. Because we’ve got a lot to get accomplished. And the only way we are going to get it done is together,” he added.
Kelley joined AFGE in 1981 when he worked at the Anniston Army Depot. He served as president of Local 1945 from 2002 to 2011 before being elected National Vice President of District 5. He became AFGE president in February 2020.
A native of Goodwater, Alabama, he served as the senior pastor of St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Lincoln, Alabama, for 31 before retiring in February 2019. Kelley also served in the Army for three years.
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