Fulfilling a promise I made to myself

A SCHOLARSHIP from my local union allowed me to complete my high school education, twenty-four years after the rest of my class. I promised myself that one day I would go on to college. The time has come to complete that promise made so many years ago by getting a degree in sociology.

As a credit to

The accompanying essay was written by Michelle L. Long — a 911 dispatcher with the City of Walla Walla and a member of Local 1191-W — as part of her successful application for a $750 AFSCME scholarship. The 108 recipients from 44 AFL-CIO unions were evaluated on academic ability, character, letters of recommendation and a 500-word essay about their appreciation of the labor movement.

my fortitude and hard work, I have had two wonderful careers. Eleven years spent in law enforcement, which I left after a back injury. For the last nine years my career as an emergency dispatcher has been incredible fun, challenging and always changing. I have become an in-house trainer teaching new dispatchers the skills they need to succeed on the job. Future plans include becoming a telecommunications trainer for the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Because the telecommunications industry has almost endless possibilities for job growth, I hope to spend a long time exploring the possibilities.

My family and I live in a small rural community. Animals are a big part of our life, so I have the opportunity to share my knowledge of horses and goats with kids in 4-H and FFA as a parent, superintendent of goats for the Waitsburg Junior and a judge at the Columbia County Fair. We have donated livestock and breeding services to the Jubilee Youth Ranch. As an avid rider, I am the secretary of the Blue Mountain Dressage Association. Bmda provides equestrian training and educational opportunities to members and the community, as well as community service activities, such as cleaning the parking lot at Bennington Lake.

As a nine-year member of the AFSCME Washington State Council of County and City Employees Council 2, Local 1191-W, I have been the shop steward for the dispatch center for the last year and was recently voted on to the local negotiating committee. My time on the negotiating committee has been enlightening as to the process and responsibilities on both sides of the table. How do we find the perfect balance of benefits for the members that are financially responsible and sustainable? It’s a dance on a very fine line these days.

My previous employment with a very small city was always overshadowed by the fact that employees served at the will of the city council and mayor. Over the years I have seen my union in action fighting for the rights of the members and have come to truly appreciate the protection afforded by the union, protection and resources not available outside the umbrella of ASFCME.

The fulfillment of a promise made to myself all those years ago makes me the perfect choice for a union scholarship. Adding a degree in sociology to my life experience will make me an even greater asset to my job, my community and my union.