Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is considered 1199SEIU’s North Star. And 1199ers have been celebrating the life of the man who called 1199 “my favorite union” since his untimely death in 1968. Once again, this year scores of healthcare workers, activists and community supporters gathered at Rochester, New York’s Strong Memorial Hospital Medical Center for the 39th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. The event was launched in 1981 at Strong and its sister institution University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), when workers began holding an event marking January 15, Dr. King’s birthday.

The event has grown over the years and is a highlight on the Strong/URMC calendar. As in years past, this year’s celebration included music and poetry; the keynote speaker was County Court Judge Karen Baily Turner.

In his closing remarks at the celebration, 1199SEIU VP Tracey Harrison commended the diligent work of the planning committee, singling out chief delegate Phyllis Lowry for her contribution and dedication.

“1199SEIU has always subscribed to the ideology of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a transformational leader and his work is immeasurable and continues to impact people all over the world,” said Harrison. “As a healthcare union, we have tried to model his work and the principles that he espoused while fighting to make a change.”

- 1199 Magazine: January / February 2020