After close to four decades of caring for the sick and elderly in Western New York, Doris Crawl has retired. In 1974, Doris began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Millard Fillmore Gates (MFG) in Buffalo and eventually moved to a Patient Care Assistant.



As a PCA, Doris actively participated and recruited singers for the annual MFG Christmas caroling. “It’s a beautiful moment to see smiles on our patients’ and co-workers’ faces as we sang their favorite Christmas carols to them,” she said. She also participated in event planning on behalf of the hospital and served on the diversity committee.



Doris has been a lifelong community activist and is a faithful member of White Rock Baptist Church, where she serves on the usher board.



In 2006 Doris became an 1199SEIU Delegate at the request and encouragement of her co-workers. “There was a need to represent and enforce the rights of my co- workers,” Doris stated. “Being a Delegate and enforcing the contract is the best way of doing that.” According to Doris, “learning to humble oneself and knowing when to compromise in order to reach an agreeable resolution for the member was a little difficult at first. But I got the hang of it.” She eventually was elected Chief Delegate of her bargaining unit.



Doris was also active Political Action Member Organizer. She worked on various local, state and federal races including those for Mayor Byron Brown, Rep. Louise Slaughter, President Obama. She lobbied both the New York State Assembly and US Congress to stop the deep cuts in Medicare and Medicaid funding on behalf of her patients, co-workers and Kaleida Health System. Per Doris at the end of the day “it’s all about politics”.



Doris is surely going to be missed.