LaRhonda Gamble is the president of AFGE Local 12 representing Department of Labor employees in Washington, D.C.
As president of her local, Gamble provides exceptional support and service to the local’s executive board, officers, stewards, bargaining unit employees, newly hired employees, and even managers. She efficiently discerns their individual needs and moves quickly to provide essential information, recommendations, direction, and representation.
Gamble has been a union activist since 2012 and a staunch champion of veterans. As a disabled Air Force veteran, she makes it her mission to bring attention to women vets with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She has demonstrated the finest qualities of our nation’s veterans, including leadership, teamwork, discipline, determination, adaptability, a strong work ethic, and a can-do attitude who champions our nation’s veterans by seeking to improve the recruiting, hiring, retention, and career advancement of veterans. Additionally, she has advocated bridging the cultural gap between veterans and federal employees.
Gamble has been pivotal in organizing and advocating on behalf of the local’s membership, not only encouraging them to become active in the local but to also participate in the department’s Military Veteran Alliance, infinity group, and working with AFGE Veterans.
She has ensured that veterans in the local mobilize on issues affecting them on their behalf. She has provided information and resources to the AFGE Veterans Committee to add partnerships and grow available benefits and resources to assist them during their federal career. She has worked tirelessly to help veterans and their families locate meaningful federal employment, gain access to their VA benefits, and connect them with the resources they need to transition to civilian life. These are all the things near and dear to her heart in advocating for the veterans.
Gamble is always looking for ways to bring her advocacy and passion for community service together. As a result, she has volunteered to serve as a part of the Women Veterans Rock Delegation since 2019. During the Public Policy Day 2022, LaRhonda met with Congressman Mark Takano, chair of the U.S. House Veterans Affairs Committee, and advocated for eliminating challenges, developing opportunities, and decreasing barriers facing America’s women veterans as they transition from military service back into civilian life.
Life coach who has fought to stop violence against women
LaRhonda is the go-to expert; she receives calls daily from AFGE members, youth mentees, veterans, community members, sorority members, family, and friends who call upon her experience and knowledge for information and advice.”
As a certified Spiritual and Master Life Coach, Gamble is well known for unsolicited and appreciated mentoring as she uses her skills to discern individual needs. She moves quickly and efficiently to provide essential information, recommendations, or direction to assist members, officers, and members of her community grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. All of this is at no cost because of her love of people and community.
Each day she strives to impact her community positively and puts forth the efforts to accomplish that goal. As a Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated member, Ms. Gamble applied for and became a member of the International Domestic Violence Program Initiative Policy Team (Z-Team). The Z-Team members volunteer their skills and expertise to advocate and take the lead in contacting and lobbying their elected officials in support of legislative priorities surrounding Domestic Violence.
Over the past few years, LaRhonda worked diligently with the community organizations assisting them in writing letters and meeting with local, state, and congressional leaders in support of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
The VAWA Reauthorization Act of 2022, S.3623, was just recently passed. Ms. Gamble took a significant leap of faith during the final push of getting this legislation through. She reached out to the National Vice President of Women and Fair Practices Jeremy Lannan and AFGE National President Everett Kelley, asking for AFGE’s help with making phone calls and writing letters to elected leaders around the nation.
Supporter of educational and athletic programs
As the Second Vice President of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated – Beta Alpha Beta Zeta Chapter – LaRhonda organized a comedy show and facilitated a partnership with the Washington Commanders (then Washington Football Team). These served as fundraisers to implement the Chapter’s Inaugural Scholarship Program. In addition, she sponsored a book scholarship to add to the number of scholarships offered. Her efforts offered five scholarships to disadvantaged youth seeking higher education in St. Mary’s County, Maryland.
During the 2022 MLK Day of Service, Gamble contributed to purchasing food items and assembling individual grab-and-go meal bags donated to the St. Mary’s Church of the Ascension, supporting the homeless population in St. Mary’s County. To add to her efforts in supporting the homeless population in St. Mary’s County, LaRhonda also donated feminine hygiene products during Women’s History Month to be distributed to homeless women and girls.
These and her significant participation in many other service projects led to LaRhonda being named the Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Incorporated - Beta Alpha Beta Zeta Chapter’s Finer Woman of the Year for 2021-2022.
As the president of the North Point High School (NPHS) Athletic Booster Association, LaRhonda led the North Point High School Athletic Booster Association in finding new ways to raise over $30,000 to support the athletic teams during the unprecedented national pandemic. The funds are also being used to continue to provide scholarships to assist those in need. She also mentors many student-athletes attending NPHS, encouraging them to participate in activism and community service.
As a member of the Charles County National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), she served as a delegate during the 2021 NAACP National Convention representing the interest of the members in Charles County. LaRhonda also recognizes that the NAACP is an integral part of the education system in Charles County. Hence, she and others represented the CCNAACP in the new staff recognition program thanking newly hired teachers around the county. As a contribution to this effort, gift cards for the purchase of classroom supplies and lunches were provided to the teachers.
As a member of the National Council of Negro Women-Charles County Section and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Southern Maryland Chapter, LaRhonda participated in a virtual, educational workshop designed to equip participants with the tools of awareness and intervention to fight human trafficking in the state of Maryland, and nationwide.
LaRhonda epitomizes solidarity, outstanding service, and leadership in her advocacy and encourages others to give back and pay it forward.
When asked how one could show her gratitude, she smiled and said, “All I want is for you to pay it forward when you can.”