One School Safety Agent, Leslie Tene Marshall, was constantly asked by her two little children, Denzel and Diamond, “Mommy do you work tonight?”.They couldn’t understand why she had to leave them and stay away from home for so many hours. She proceeded to write a book to try and answer her children’s questions. Another Agent hoping to help explain her job to youngsters, SSA lll Wanda Mirsky, wrote and designed an activity book, illustrated by SSA l Edwin Gonzalez, about the job of School Safety Agents.

On April 25th, 2019, in keeping with the national celebration “Take Our Daughters and Sons To Work Day”, children of Local 237 members were invited to visit the union’s headquarters to receive a first-hand understanding of some of the work done by its members. Across the nation, the day, now in its 25th year, is dedicated to de-mystifying for a child what happens when a parent says “I am going to work.” The concept was originally focused on encouraging little girls to not let gender dictate their professional or personal aspirations. The initial goal, set over two decades ago, was to let girls understand that they were not precluded or limited from entering certain fields of endeavor. Today, the celebration is expanded to encourage all children to think imaginatively about their future, and to teach them how to balance work and family life in healthy ways.

Front Row: Matthew Corniel, Aiden Arias, Alani Staley, Isabelle Ramnarine, Zaida Ali, Riley Banks Harris, Madison Ramnarine, Alliana Julian, Leilani Lake. Back Row: Laura Miranda, Suzanne Kobi, Madison Torres, Nia Norman, Madyson Barrout, Nyla Peart, Samara Deleon, Jade Deen, Sade Harris, Mason Ramjattan and Madison Ramjattan.

Among the activities for Local 237’s special guests was a chance to meet and talk with President Gregory Floyd, visit many of the offices throughout the building, sit in a police car with School Safety Agents and draw in the activity book purchased by Local 237—which is currently being distributed to public school students throughout the system. The children really enjoyed the fun-filled and informative day, many already asking about next year. As President Floyd noted: “For most of us, we go to work every day, with the pressures of the job on our minds and often not dwelling on our own kids who we just left behind. School Safety Agents spend their day with other people’s children. They protect them and help to create a nurturing environment during the school day in which children can learn and mature. They have a tough job, but as professionals — and many as parents too — I think they make great strides in achieving a lasting, positive impact on the students School Safety Agents served as the perfect hosts for this special celebration because they exemplify the importance of why mommy (or daddy) is working today.”