Education, Action and Inspiration

November 2014

Delegates racked up CEUs at the convention while getting educated and inspired by speakers and workshop presenters. Jane McAlevey, author of Raising Expectations (and Raising Hell), talked about making lasting personal and community connections as the key to organizing workers and achieving a high participation union. Jane Carter, a Labor Economist with AFSCME, outlined how ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, has pulled together state legislators with super-rich donors and corporate lobbyists to develop model laws to undermine unions across the country. On a lighter note, Betty Heart used comedic improv techniques to share research on laughter’s healing powers. Cydney Stewart, MD, discussed women’s heart health and Neuroscientist David Hovda discussed healing from traumatic brain injury. Drew Weston discussed how unions can win back widespread public approval. Dianne Dunlap and Marsha Mather from Rosie the Riveter Trust in Northern California told how they’re preserving the history of women factory workers during World War II.