THE AFSCME Women’s Convention was scheduled to be held in Boston in November last year. But, in the wake of September 11, AFSCME president Gerald McEntee asked the Boston organizers for permission to move the meeting to New York City as a show of solidarity with the workers of the City.

Among the delegates were Judy Johnson, Gloria Masters, Alpha O’Laughlin, Jacki Unger, Gerri Delisle, Chris Wood, Kathy Carpenter and Lois Clement

As a result, the conference was held in downtown Manhattan. Among those who attended were a dozen members of Council 2.

“The theme of the conference was a tribute to those AFSCME workers involved in the September 11 tragedy and subsequent rescue effort,” says Alpha O’Laughlin, who attended the convention.

Several presentations described the horror of the event and also the heroics of hundreds of public employees who saved countless lives.

One especially moving moment discussed the life and subsequent loss of Father Mychal Judge, an AFSCME member who died while administering last rites to a critically injured person.

New York firemen pose with Jacki Unger, Paula Laws, Alpha O’Laughlin and Chris Wood after Paula Laws had given them a check from Idaho Labor Council

Delegates visited Ground Zero where workers were still demolishing remnants of the buildings. On occasion, flames were erupting from the rubble. The odor was still intense.
“It was a really moving experience for all of us,” recalls O’Laughlin.

About 2,000 delegates attended the conference.