For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today's profile is Darlene Lombos of the Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT).
Darlene Lombos, IUPAT District Council 35, is the executive secretary-treasurer of the Greater Boston Labor Council. She is the first woman and person of color to be elected in this top leadership position and is a founding member of the Massachusetts chapter of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. Lombos believes that women have always been the backbone of the labor movement, and in this political moment, labor needs to build the foundation of a new broad-based women's movement. Lombos approaches this moment as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to rebuild the public good toward our vision for vibrant, equitable, democratic communities and an empowered, united, multiracial working class.