Nancy Baker, right, with Lois Clement

NANCY BAKER, member at large of the executive board of Local 87 in Yakima, has received the Mary Hersey Award for outstanding service to the union.

The award was presented to her at a breakfast hosted by the Women’s Action Committee during Council 2’s biennial convention in June.

At the breakfast, Flora Walker, AFSCME Western Regional Director, said women are “tried and true five-star generals by nature.”

“We are needed now more than ever before,” she said. “We are the cornerstone of everything that is going on in this country.

Flora Walker

“Get ready for the biggest get-out-the-vote effort that this union has ever led.”

Baker was cited for exemplifying the importance of being a union member and for always being available for the tasks that needed to be undertaken.

In response, Baker said Mary Hersey, after whom the award is named, said if you want the union to work, you have to work.
“It is only as strong as the effort you put into it,” she added.

Mary Hersey became President of the guild at the Yakima Herald Republic newspaper. After being fired for union activism, she successfully sued her employer. She was reinstated but quit her job the same day. Hired by Council 2 as a staff member in 1972, she became the Women’s Committee Advisor in 1980. She retired in 1992 and was presented with the first “Mary Hersey Award” shortly before she died in 1997.

Among the criteria taken into account in presenting the award are:

Advancement in leadership roles and/or activism in labor

Outstanding service within the labor community

Service in a leadership role beneficial to labor

Service in a leadership role in coping with critical issues

Participation in educational projects through a local union or another labor organization.

Dugovich re-elected Council 2 president