Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, more than 450 AFGE leaders and activists gathered at the Gaylord National Harbor for AFGE’s 4th Annual Sister’s Keeper Summit and the Human Rights Training Conference.
The eight days of training and fellowship kicked off with the Sister’s Keeper Summit. This training was an exciting time for union activists to come together to focus on issues specifically impacting women in their workplaces and their communities.
The summit began with an opening plenary session where attendees listened to remarks from women leaders within AFGE, participated in networking diversity bingo to learn more about fellow participants, and engaged in round table discussions where they shared what it means to be a sister’s keeper.
Over the next few days, participants engaged in workshops and activities offered at the Sister’s Keeper Summit, including Zumba, self-defense, and yoga workshops. Attendees also participated in sessions that taught them about legislation that impacts women and families, racial justice, domestic violence, retirement and financial planning, and mental health advocacy. The summit also featured a panel discussion with AFGE women leaders representing various federal and DC government agencies discussing their union activism, influential women in the labor movement and how they will continue to be their sisters’ keeper.
Before heading into the full week of the Human Rights Training Conference, the Sister’s Keeper Summit rounded out the weekend with its AFGE Woman of Labor Awards that highlighted women leaders from across the country for their outstanding contributions to the labor movement.
Check out this video featuring lyrics and co-produced by AFGE Local 1260 Dir. of Civil and Human Rights Danielle Hollis.
Human Rights Training Conference
As the union’s premier venue for advanced Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) training, the Human Rights Training Conference continued the momentum from the opening weekend. This year’s Training Conference theme was “We Who Believe in Justice,” which kicked off with an opening plenary that energized attendees for their week of learning ahead. The opening plenary also featured remarks from Congressman Glenn Ivey, representing Maryland’s 4th congressional district. He shared with attendees the importance of the work they do as government workers and union advocates.
The weeklong training featured a wide range of courses including EEO, workers’ compensation, workplace bullying, coordinator bootcamp, racial justice advocacy, organizing, new unionist training led by AFGE’s National Y.O.U.N.G. Committee and more.
“These training conferences are vitally important to the work we do as a labor union,” said AFGE National Vice President for Women and Fair Practices Jeremy Lannan. “We must prioritize, protect and empower federal and DC government workers around civil, human, women’s and workers’ rights. An injustice to one is an injustice to all and we will continue to stay ready in the fight for justice and equality for all.”
In addition to the training sessions, attendees could also engage with the union’s diversity-based constituency groups through evening meetings. During the conference AFGE B.L.A.C.K., AFGE A.P.O.W.E.R., AFGE PRIDE and AFGE HISCO met with AFGE members to chart a path forward for their respective groups and for some groups to elect their new leaders.
AFGE PRIDE elected Mae apGovannon as chair, Tiffany McPherson as vice chair, and Mitchell Word as secretary. AFGE HISCO also held elections and the new officers include Tiffany Roman as chair, Christian Gonzales as vice chair and Cathy Horta as secretary. During the conference, the Women’s and Fair Practices Departments also debuted new merch where attendees could purchase colorful T-shirts that represent each of the constituency groups.
This full week of training was capped off with the Human Rights Training Banquet. This was a festive time for attendees to gather and dance the night away after working hard all week during the training. Conference participants also contributed to the local community with the service project organized by AFGE’s National Human Rights Committee and AFGE’s National Y.O.U.N.G. Committee. Thanks to the generosity of AFGE members, contributions were made to local non-profits including Central Union Mission, So Others Might Eat and Martha’s Table.
Check Out the Highlights from the Sister's Keeper Summit and Human Rights Training Conference at the AFGE Flickr Links below:
SKS: https://www.flickr.com/photos/afge/albums/72177720310268133
HRT: https://www.flickr.com/photos/afge/albums/72177720310258076
Photo Frames: https://www.flickr.com/photos/afge/albums/72177720310253945
The Human Rights Training Conference will be on hiatus next year and will return to the west coast in 2025.
The Office of Personnel Management last week took a huge step toward aligning the locality pay maps for employees on the Federal Wage System and General Schedule.
Read More
With the election approaching Marcial Gomez talks about what’s on the line for TSA employees and his concerns about Project 2025.
Read More
Members of AFGE’s DEFCON Steering Group met along with AFGE staff and elected leaders to discuss ways to better serve employees throughout the DoD in the year ahead.
Read More
