To mark Women’s History Month and celebrate the hardworking women of labor, the CFL held its annual Woman of the Year ceremony as well as a virtual panel discussion about the impact of the pandemic on women workers.
At the April 6 CFL Delegates meeting, the CFL honored Carole Pollitz as the 2021 Woman of the Year. She has been a member of IBEW Local 134 for more than 30 years. She began her career in the labor movement as a union apprentice, then continued as Journeyman Wireman/Foreman in the construction field. She then served as an instructor for the IBEW-NECA Apprenticeship.
Pollitz became the first woman Business Representative under the Construction agreement in the history of Local 134 when she was appointed by Business Manager Don Finn in 2015.
Then, on April 8, women leaders from across the movement came together for a virtual event entitled “One Year In: The Impact of the Pandemic on Women.” The panel discussion explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and included: Cherita Ellens of Women Employed, Ms. Pollitz, Mamie Pratt of UFCW Local 881 and the Chicago Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Ann Bolden of Painters District Council 14, Roushaunda Williams of UNITE HERE Local 1, and Lori Torres of the Chicago Teachers Union.
Women have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, bearing the vast majority of job losses. The labor movement continues to find ways to support women as the country reopens and the pandemic recedes. The discussion is available for viewing on the CFL’s Facebook and YouTube pages.