Shawn Berry Williams - District 6
Email: [email protected]
HRC Subcommittee: Public Relations, Training & Education, Organizing
I became interested in the labor movement in 2013 after being nominated as a delegate to the NVAC Convention in San Juan, PR. I understood the mission of AFGE and sought mentoring and training so that I could become a voice for change.
Helping others is in my nature. From a young age, I learned about feminism and was impacted by the Vietnam War and the lack of compassion shown to disabled Vietnam Veterans in the 70s. Though just a little girl, I already understood the concept of being unfairly treated, and it never left me. I see myself as a prodigy of Angela Davis and Gloria Steinem and benefitted from such activism. Inspired by my undergraduate work from the University of District of Columbia in Psychology. I acquired two Master's Degrees – one in Clinical Psychology from Spalding University and another in Healthcare Administration from Webster University – as I set myself on a career path in health care, driven to do whatever I could to help alleviate suffering. My background in health care, especially working with Veterans, has given me a unique perspective allowing me to bridge behavioral science with labor, and social justice.
Today, I bring my passion for tackling discriminatory practices wherever I find them, intent on ending discrimination within the workplace and replacing it with inclusion and diversity. My concerns run the entire gamut – LBGT injustices, misogyny, age discrimination, harassment, religious intolerance, and immigration.
I believe it’s important to recognize that systemic bias continues to impact women globally. Women across the world, relative to men, are often underrepresented in positions of power. We also experience wage and hiring discrimination just to name a few inequalities. I highlight these injustices because we must eliminate these practices. Serving as a member of the Human Rights Committee allows me the opportunity to put in place mechanisms of diversity and inclusion that will benefit AFGE members and the world.
