Celebrating Women's History Month - My Salute to Roz Pelles



Roz Pelles



Following on the heels of the Interfaith Worker Justice, a Civil Rights organization that “advances the rights of workers by engaging diverse faith communities into action, from grassroots organizing….” in celebrating Women’s History Month and honoring Roz Pelles, I, too, would like to take a moment to tip my hat to my dear friend and mentor and recognize her and all of her achievements as she enters this new phase of her life.

Roz, a trailblazer in the struggle for equality, has been a tremendous asset to the Civil and Human Rights Movement in many capacities. An attorney by trade, she has served as Executive Director of the National Rainbow Coalition and as a Special Assistant to Rev. Jesse Jackson. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the prestigious Highlander Research and Education Center located in Tennessee. This is the center where Civil Rights legends Septima Clark, Rosa Parks, Rev. James Lawson, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others trained. She also serves as the Board Chair of the Interfaith Worker Justice.

I was fortunate to meet and develop a relationship with Roz while she served as the Director of the national AFL-CIO Civil, Human, and Women’s Rights Department. Through her work there, she has done an exceptional job carrying on the legacy that Civil Rights and Labor Leader A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin established in moving the AFL-CIO to the forefront of the American Civil Rights Movement.

Working for social justice and fighting for equality is no easy task.  The work requires us each to be a dedicated and loyal activist, with a strong commitment to serving others. We are often asked to make great personal sacrifices. In my experiences working with Roz, I have often seen her go well above the call of duty in this majestic struggle. Last fall we worked hand-in-hand in Pennsylvania, educating voters on the new rules regarding the repressive Voter ID Law that had been enacted. For the past five years, I have worked closely with her on the annual AFL-CIO Martin Luther King Holiday Observance. This year the festivities were held in Philadelphia, PA and I knew that it would be special because when you work with Roz, that is just how things flow. However, what I did not know is this year would be my last observance working with Roz as our leader. After a long, illustrious career, I hope that you enjoy your retirement my friend, my mentor, and my sister in the struggle. I salute you on a job well done!!! 

To read the article from the Interfaith Worker Justice on Roz click here:

http://www.iwj.org/blog/international-womens-day 



Roz and I at the 2013 AFL-CIO

Martin Luther King Holiday Observance