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Member Stories
Member Stories

Member Stories

Michael Lyn
Electrician / Long Island Jewish Hospital / New York

"It has been for too long now that the world has looked at our nation with contempt,” says Michael Lyn, an electrician at New York’s Long Island Jewish Hospital for 20 years. “I believe that for our people, our nation and for the human race we need a leader of integrity and love - love that other nations can see."

Jean Marsielle
Ros Common / Boston, MA

“We knocked on thousands of doors. My purpose was to energize folks to the level I am. The days were long, and the weather was bad, but it was definitely worth it.”

Belinda Matthews

Niagara Falls Has Its "Rising Star"ER Nurse

“I wanted to return to school, but I could never afford it,”

Kelli Jemott

ER Nurse / Bowie Health Campus /Maryland

“I’m not afraid to talk and I know that I can have an impact in the election.”

Tony Abrom

Dietary /Ingleside Rock Creek / Washington, DC

"Now we have our union contract we’ll get even more respect."

Rosita Chase

ER Technician /St. Vincent's Hospital / New York, New York

"I want the members to know whatever you want to do, you can do it."

Paula Ohlmann

Registered Nurse / Eastern Long Island Hospital

"[A good preceptor has] patience, knowledge, understanding and a willingness to continue one's own education."

Carl Bussey

Floor Tech/ Georgetown University Hospital / DC

"The swearing-in gave me pride to be who I am -- a Union Delegate.”

Joseph L. Clark, Jr

Environmental Services Worker / Georgetown University Hospital / DC

“Management sometimes needs to be reminded of worker’s rights”

Eola Byrd

Housekeeper/ Georgetown University Hospital/ DC

"The Union got involved, took on my case and now I'm working again."

Yasmine Beausejour

RN / Sephardic Home Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center/ Brooklyn, NY

“My goal is towards a Masters degree, with a minor in Education because there is a nurse educator shortage as well as a staff nurse shortage.”

Robin Bryant

Geriatric Nursing Assistant / Blue Point Nursing Home / Baltimore, MD

"I have learned by working with other Union members that we are in all fights together."

Adriana Fuentes

Dietary Clerk / Stony Brook University Medical Center / Long Island, NY

"Our motto is 'Patients First.'"

Eustene Corbin

Retired Member/ Brooklyn, NY

"Keeping the ball rolling."

Jagessar Bidishi

Housekeeper / St. John's Hospital / Queens, NY

"1199 inspired me to become a citizen and has given me the opportunity to get the things I need to have a fulfilling life."

Myra Holiday

Buffalo General Hospital / Buffalo, NY

"If Spitzer has his way it will really affect our community."

Eduardo Santiago

Pharmacy Tech / Presbyterian Hospital / New York, NY

"When we’re organized, there’s nothing we can't do."

Carlton Scott

Locksmith / Georgetown University / Washington, DC

"Now I know what it's all about, people speaking with one voice to bring about a change for all Americans."

Lorita Waltz

Registered Nurse / Laurel Regional Hospital / Laurel, MD

"Being a part of the Union, I have grown as a nurse and a leader."

Patricia Whitmore

Public Nurse / Boston Health Commission / Boston, MA

"I’ve always been passionate about children and that hasn’t changed."

Diane Rogers

Billing Specialist / Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center / Dorchester, MA

"Having a computer in my home is going to connect me to more people and more opportunities in my life."

Ereline Davis

Rehab Aide / St. Elizabeth Ann's Healthcare and Rehab Center / Staten Island, NY

"Christmas came early for me this year."

Tom Palladino

Lab Tech / Victory Memorial Hospital /Brooklyn, NY

“We have to find a real solution or things are only going to get worse.”

Valencia Johnson

Radiologist / Greater Southeast Community Hospital / Washington, D.C.

“My returning to school has encouraged my son to stay focused in school and keep good grades.”

Tyrone Efferson

Community Health Worker / St. Vincent's Manhattan / New York, NY

"I was trying to get to them before they became a statistic."

Avis Williams

Registered Nurse / St. John’s Episcopal Hospital / Queens, NY

"I'm able to let out my emotions. When I get stressed I sing."

Sharon Fowler

Dietary Aide / Trans Health, inc / Ellicot City, MD

“I want to thank my Union for giving my daughter an opportunity to receive higher education.”

Dorothy Boyd

Dietary Aide / Ravenwood Nursing Home / Baltimore, MD

“I am proud to know that Maryland played a part in the change for a democratic leadership.”

* video story

Regina Yard

Registered Nurse / Holliswood Hospital / Queens, NY

“I hope my $100 a month will inspire others to give what they can.”

Georgia Kanakarakis

Home Health Aide / Home Services, Inc. / Queens, NY

“I want to help others make informed decisions.”

Marie Toussant

Housekeeper / St. Luke's Hospital / New York, NY

“I would never take anything that doesn’t belong to me.”

Walter Bosque

Acupuncture Technician / Casa Promesa / Bronx, NY

“Don’t Let Them Wal-Mart Us.”

Lea Powdar

Homecare Worker / Stella Orton / Staten Island, NY

“It’s so unfair that they would just cut us off. It’s unbelievable to know that homecare workers have to go through this.”

Toni Steadman

Xerox Technician / Georgetown University Law Center / Washington, DC

"I will do the best I can to represent my co-workers."

Anestine Bentick

Medical Assistant / South Boston Community Health System / Boston, MA

"I tell members to be politically involved because of your job security, your family and your neighborhoods."

Marilyn Gaines

Pediatric ICU Secretary / Strong Memorial Medical Center / Rochester, NY

"A union is only as strong as its members."

Clyde Harris

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Journeyman/ Sinai Hospital / Baltimore, MD

"We are a proud people. Let us find our voice."

Monique Johnson

Geriatric Nurse Aide / Harborside Nursing and Rehab Center / Baltimore, MD

“I personally feel as though everyone needs a union.”

Joyce Layne

Homecare Worker / Premier Healthcare / Long Island, NY

“I love bringing a smile to my client’s face.”

* video story
Katherine Moser

Occupational Therapist / Terrence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center / New York, NY

"275,000 members, you are not alone."

Carolyn Turner

Geriatric Nursing Assistant / Overlea Health and Rehabilitation / Baltimore, MD

"I started to listen and what was said came from the heart and it reached my heart."

Janet Torchia

Registered Nurse / Columbia Memorial Hospital / Hudson, NY

"We do the best for our patients."

Louise Bucchiere

Registered Nurse / Union Hospital / Lynn, MA

"You should always look out for your neighbor. Everyone matters."

Renee Dinardi

Ultrasound Technician / Columbia Memorial Hospital / Hudson, NY

“We will not be divided by management.”

Lillian White

Home Attendant / United Homecare Agency / Brooklyn, NY

“What is happening here could happen to any of us.”

Cathy Robertson

Registered Nurse/ Columbia Memorial Hospital/ Hudson, NY

“We can accomplish anything we set our minds to.”

Melissa Anderson

Registered Nurse / Orange Regional Medical Center/ Hudson Valley, NY

“I’m honored to know that when I’m teaching people, others see something in me.”

Carol Buckley

Home Attendant / All Metro Healthcare / New York, NY

“When my blood starts boiling, you know I’m going to be there."

Marco Figueroa

Food Service Worker / Yeshiva University / New York, NY

“This is my first computer, and it will definitely help me in my career.”

Donyel Howell

BMC / Console Operator / Dorchester, MA

"If you can put motivation in someone else, you are going places."

Cris Rockwell

RN / St. Vincent’s Midtown Hospital / New York, NY

“I always tell people I’m just one person, I can do one to one care... when I teach healthcare workers to care for others, I multiply.”

Ramona Rhyne

Nursing Home Worker / Mariner of Overlea Nursing Home / Baltimore, MD

“I was not taking this sitting down. I have rights.”

Tracey Morgan

RN/Labor and Delivery/ BMC/ Roxbury, MA

"It’s very frustrating to see uninsured patients come to the E.R. with emergencies that could have been avoided if they had proper access to care.”

Wayne Munroe

Lab Technician/ Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center / Queens, NY

“That experience gave me the strength to decide I’m going to go on fighting for our members.”

Ben Soumahoro

Patient Finance Services Rep / St. Vincent’s Medical Center / New York, NY

“It’s important to have good communication.”

Gail Kingman

RN /Civista Medical Center/ LaPlata, MD

“All of us nurses have to stand together to get what we deserve.”

Diane Goins

LPN /Sun Harbor Nursing Home/ Long Island, NY

“Getting involved is the only way to make change.”

Geri Weaver

RN /Columbia Memorial Hospital/ Hudson, NY

“Nurses have an incredible amount of skill and insight to offer.”

Gwen Brown

SEIU Communications Center/New York, NY

“Before this, I’d never experienced democracy”

Carolyn Parker

Nursing Home Worker /Wesley Nursing Home / Baltimore, MD

“We were left at the mercy of the bosses ”

Linda Bertoni

Homecare Worker / Best Care / New York, NY

“It seems like [the employers] they don't even care about their employees or their patients. ”

Yvette Jackson

Homecare Worker / Personal Touch / New York, NY

“It is just very hard to do this work and still not be able to provide for my family.”

Joyce White

Hospital Worker / Dimension Medical Center / Prince Georges County, MD

“I get an adrenaline rush when we go out canvassing”

Flossie Porn

LPN / Heywood Hospital / Gardner, MA

Clive Bascombe

Housekeeper / Brooklyn, NY

“Each year we come together to bring to lift each other’s spirit.”

Carol Bragg

Registered Nurse / Cheverley, MD

“The support from all of our co-workers made the difference.”

Annie Bryant

Certified Nurses Attendant / Yonkers, N.Y. / Delegate

“It is clear that this is the type of resident that we are getting now, and we need more education in how to work with and help them.”

Mary Apholz

Housekeeper / Amsterdam Memorial Hospital

“Can you believe it — healthcare workers without health care?”

Joyce Dukes

Central Processing Tech / Maryland General Hospital / Baltimore, MD

“Nothing Stays the Same and We Are Moving Forward”

Celeste Chase & Rosalind Hampton

Unseen America Photographers / Buffalo, NY

Celeste and Rosalind are known throughout the Union for their activism as Delegates, lobbying their elected representatives, and attending rallies to fight for improved healthcare funding.