Teamster Women Rally During Annual Chicago Seminar

Self-Defense, Member Health Among Key Issues for Women’s Committee

Teamster women across the Chicago area flexed their muscles on November 5, 2011, as more than 150 members gathered for Teamsters Joint Council 25’s Second Annual Women’s Seminar.

Representatives and rank-and-file members from nearly every Joint Council 25 affiliate attended the daylong event, held at Teamsters Local 731’s union hall in suburban Burr Ridge. In addition to improving communication and camaraderie among Teamster women across the board, participants engaged in an analysis of women’s health issues, self-defense tips, organizing strategies and anti-terrorism training and awareness.

“Teamster women are making their presence felt across northern Illinois and Indiana,” said John T. Coli, President of Joint Council 25. “It’s no secret in the Teamsters Union that women have a tremendous impact on organizing campaigns, on strike lines, on local events and even membership meetings. It’s a thrill to see these participation numbers climbing.”

Joint Council 25 established its first Women’s Committee in its 100-year history in 2009, welcoming representatives from its 20 affiliates to uncover new ways to motivate and challenge Teamster women. In the two years since, the committee has maintained a powerful presence at the Teamsters’ National Women’s Conference, helped raise more than $100,000 for men and women battling breast cancer and hosted various events with Teamsters across metropolitan Chicago.

The committee invited a host of guest speakers to address rank-and-file members during its now annual seminar. Jacqueline Boone, a registered nurse and member of Teamsters Local 743, guided participants through a breakdown of key health issues affecting women today, including warning signs and preventative measures for breast cancer, stroke and heart disease. Patrick O’Driscoll, a Teamsters Local 700 member and Master Sergeant of the Illinois State Police, offered common sense advice for women to recognize potential criminals and avoid dangerous situations in their daily lives.

“The self-defense presentation was one of the best aspects of this year’s seminar,” said Local 743 member Chantel Robinson. “It really made us all aware of the many different dangers that exist out there.”

The First Observer Training Program, a relative staple during Teamster programs and conference around the country, was also exercised at the seminar, as coordinator Randall Loewenkamp offered guidance for recognizing and reporting potential acts of terrorism.

“Empowering and educating our members, particularly Teamster women, are some of the most important steps we can take to grow and preserve this union,” said Coli. “The more women that get involved, the more families get involved, and the more passionate and personal our battles become.

“The Joint Council encourages all of our members, women and men, to get involved and stay involved at every opportunity. It’s the surest way to show our strength.”

Former Teamsters International Vice President and Teamsters Local 20 Representative Cheryl Johnson was also on-hand to celebrate the day with local members. The founder of the National Women’s Conference, Johnson spoke to the committee about the importance of member participation and the ability of women to make a difference in their own workplaces. Following her speech, representatives from Teamsters Local 705, including Women’s Committee Chairperson Joan Somer, presented Johnson with a homemade scrapbook detailing her decades of service to the union.

Visit www.ChicagoTeamsters.org for future updates on Women’s Committee meetings and activities. The committee will continue to organize new members and participate in special events, including the Annual Y-Me Race at Your Pace for breast cancer on Sunday, May 13, 2012 in Chicago’s Grant Park.

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

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