April Williams Wins Ed Klein Political Action Award
August 13, 2024
April Williams, a member of AFGE Local 96 in St. Louis, Mo., is the winner of this year Ed Klein Political Action Award. AFGE created this award at the 2012 National Convention to recognize an individual AFGE activist who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in leadership and commitment to AFGE’s legislative and political action mission.
April is her local’s legislative and political coordinator and has been an AFGE member for almost 15 years. She attended a Legislative-Political Training Institute – or LPTI – in 2022 and immediately set forth with engaging in the union’s legislative and political programs. She has been a dedicated volunteer, a strong PAC contributor, and a rank-and-file leader who has helped organize events locally and elevate AFGE’s brand in the political community. For her efforts, she was honored with being Rep. Nikki Budzinski’s (D-Ill.) special guest at the State of the Union address in D.C. earlier this year.
April works as a nurse at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in St. Louis, Mo. She encouraged members of Congress to visit the VA St. Louis Health Care System to meet with employees and Local 96 leadership to continue advocacy for AFGE’s local and national legislative agenda. She is a firm believer that legislative and political advocacy is necessary to build stronger communities.
“As a recipient of the Ed Klein Political Action Award, I am honored to be considered among past winners,” she said. “This recognition reflects our collective dedication to advocating for workers’ rights and understanding that our commitment to AFGE is about service to others, doing everything possible to gain the support of those who can make decisions that improve the lives of our members and their families.”
April is active in her local community. She has provided leadership in the community through legislative advocacy and developing programs for underserved individuals with chronic diseases and through partnering with non-profit organizations including the American Heart Association, United Nations Association Saint Louis Chapter, NieCat Foundation in Miami, and Healthy Kids Inc. in Detroit. Through this advocacy, April has been sought out to provide unique education and training programs throughout the community.
April is a graduate of Goldfarb School of Nursing in St. Louis. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Fisk University and an MBA in Finance from Golden Gate University. She is currently a Family Nurse Practitioner candidate at Walden University.
