Kim WIlson receives 2019 Award from AFT Local 1895

Mon, 12/09/2019 - 1:01pm
KIm WIlson with Greater SE Mass Labor Council PResident Lisa Lemieux
KIm WIlson with Greater SE Mass Labor Council PResident Lisa Lemieux

The Labor Extension program is very proud to announce that UMass Dartmouth Labor Education Center Director Kim Wilson was the recipient of this year’s Bruce Sparfven ESU Service Award. With this award, the Educational Services Unit (ESU), AFT Local 1895, honors one of its members who has demonstrated outstanding service to both the local union and to the university.

The award was presented at an event on December 4, by fellow AFT 1895 member and Labor Center stafff Camilo Viveiros and Greater Southeastern Mass Labor Council President Lisa Lemieux.

Here is an excerpt from Camilo's remarks on presenting the award. "

"Kim has always been there for ESU for over two decades at UMass Dartmouth supporting us step by step. She has always been there for the labor movement in our region by being a delegate and serving to improve the local Labor Council. In her role as Director of the Labor Education Center she has provided countless trainings. In her role as a labor leader she has participated in, organized and mobilized many actions, rallies and pickets. In her role at UMass Dartmouth she has taught classes that have brought students together with labor leaders to foster solidarity.

Kim connects the dots, connecting diverse social justice issues with worker justice issues. She consistently supports the leadership of women, people of color and other oppressed groups. She has volunteered and served on the Board of the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development (WILD), and other groups such as MASSCOSH, and Massachusetts Jobs with Justice. She has advised students and student groups and supported community groups such as the CEDC that make an impact on immigrant rights.

She has encouraged workers to see ourselves as artists. Cultivating support for workers’ use of creative methods to highlight our struggles, coordinating community murals, orchestrating photography exhibits and co-founding the WAC: Workers Art Center.

Kim has been there for other union members, community members, and many movements to support us individually and collectively.

Kim has been there to support staff at the Labor Education Center to help us grow and provide evolving programing that serves students and our communities."