Working people across the United States regularly step up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our Service & Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.
On July 15, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO hosted a Summer 2025 gathering for women and siblings in labor at the historic Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston.
Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch, the first woman to hold the position, kicked off the event by saying, “While the Trump administration seeks to dismantle DEI and strip women and union members of their fundamental rights, we are doubling down on our efforts to make sure more women have access to good union jobs. We know that when more of us can join a union and collectively bargain, we can close the wage gap, strengthen our economy and fight for lifesaving benefits like paid leave and reproductive health care.”
She was joined by labor leaders and union members from across sectors and corners of the commonwealth, including Greater Boston Labor Council President Darlene Lombos and Greater Southeastern Massachusetts Labor Council President Lisa Lemieux.
The Massachusetts AFL-CIO Women’s Committee is dedicated to uplifting women in labor and working in coalition with allies to advance women’s economic justice. The state federation is currently developing a collective bargaining toolkit featuring model language that furthers gender justice in union contracts and protects access to essential health care under threat, such as reproductive health care.