Joint Council 25 Hosts Inaugural Women's Seminar

More Than 80 Teamster Women Come Together to Foster Empowerment, Creativity

Less than a year after forming its first Women’s Committee, Teamsters Joint Council 25 hosted its Inaugural Women’s Seminar at Chicago’s Teamster City last month.

On Aug. 7, 2010, more than 80 Teamster women from around Illinois joined together to celebrate the history of women in labor and champion new ways for women to get involved in their local unions. The event marked the first of new annual initiatives the Joint Council is developing to recognize the importance of Teamster women and celebrate their unique contributions.

“Women have been an essential building block of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters since our founding more than a century ago,” said John T. Coli, President of Joint Council 25. “From bargaining committees to organizing campaigns, the role and influence of women in the union create an invaluable perspective that must be promoted.

“When women raise their voices and share their ideas, nothing can stand in their way.”

Following the 2009 National Women’s Conference in Las Vegas, Coli returned to Chicago determined to strengthen Joint Council 25’s commitment to Teamster women. Within weeks, representatives of every affiliated local were appointed to join the executive board of the Joint Council’s new Women’s Committee.

In addition to organizing the Inaugural Women’s Seminar, the 20-member board rallied Teamsters earlier this year to raise more than $45,000 for the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.

Such charitable outreach will remain a top priority for the Women’s Committee going forward. In fact, board members recognized an opportunity to assist Teamster strike lines and members in need by spontaneously collecting hundreds of dollars in donations during the Women’s Seminar.

“The role of the Women’s Committee will not only be to advocate on behalf of Teamster women, but to make significant contributions to our local unions and local communities in as many new ways as we possibly can,” said Joan Somer, the Committee Chairwoman and a member of Teamsters Local 705.

In addition to a presentation on the history of women in labor, the Women’s Seminar offered members creative ideas to stay active in the union from Claudia Galloway, the Teamsters’ Senior Training Coordinator. Participants also were joined by State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Illinois’ Democratic candidate for Lt. Governor Sheila Simon — all of who addressed the impact and necessity of women in the labor movement.

The executive board of the Women’s Committee meets monthly to generate additional initiatives for Teamster women in Chicago and Illinois. Work is already underway for the Second Annual Women’s Seminar, which is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2011.

All members of the Joint Council’s 20 affiliated local unions are encouraged to join the Women’s Committee and attend future events. To join the committee, contact Joint Council 25 at (847) 292-1225.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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