By Gregory Floyd
President, Teamsters Local 237
Vice President at-Large, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
All across the nation, throughout the month of March, there will be numerous celebrations and tributes to mark the accomplishments of women in America. At Local 237, we don’t have to look very far for fearless women, with an extraordinary strength of character who exemplify “never take no for an answer”.
Throughout the pandemic and beyond, so many of our women members were an integral part of our union’s overall efforts to keep the City functioning.
For us, it is not difficult to identify women who should be honored during Women’s History Month. We are especially blessed to have among our own members, and our friends, women who care about others and want everyone else to care too. That’s who they are. That’s their legacy. And we take pride in knowing them.
Throughout the month of March, we will be showcasing current women members doing their job, so that all New Yorkers can do theirs.
Hospital Police Officer Desir has 12 years on the job at Henry J. Carter Hospital. She loves her job because her coworkers are like extended family. She comes to work with a positive attitude to motivate the next person to make a change in their lives.
Sgt. Foo is a Public Safety Officer who has worked for 15 years at Brooklyn College. She explains, "being a woman in law enforcement is difficult at times - raising a family and working but I make it work. I’m a strong woman!"
CSA Beckford serves as a shop steward and has worked at Queens College for 16 years. She loves her job. She greets everyone with a positive "Good Morning Sunshine" each day.
CSA Bissoondharry has worked 6 years at LaGuardia Community College. She likes her job helping students, faculty and visitors.
CSA Brown has worked at LaGuardia Community College for 11 years. She stated, "Being a woman in law enforcement you have to exert your authority to be taken seriously. I love my job and the people."
Sabrina Taylor (Whitman Houses) and Tracey Cheston, Safety Associates (Stuyvesant HS)
CSA Harris has worked for 11 years at LaGuardia Community College. Harris stated, "The uniform can be intimidating yet as a female you are looked at as friendly."
Amanda Sweeney, daughter of Trisha Wade of Local 237’s Long Island Division, is the founder and organizer of Eileen’s Free Bodega, which she opened as her first community fridge, at the El Salvador Consulate in May, 2021.
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