Frances Perkins Center’s executive director and Maine AFL-CIO’s president to speak on labor issues
DAMARISCOTTA — The Lincoln County Democratic Committee hosts two experts on the labor movement at its monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.
The meeting will be in a hybrid format. Participants can join in person at the Newcastle Fire Station, 86 River Road, and can be attended on Zoom as well.
Guest speakers are Giovanna Gray Lockhart, executive director of the Frances Perkins Center (an organization dedicated to workers’ rights advocate Frances Perkins), and Cynthia Phinney, president of the Maine AFL-CIO (American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations).
Lockhart will present an overview of Frances Perkins (the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet), who was secretary of labor for the entire tenure of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency.
Perkins was the driving force behind the groundbreaking New Deal programs on which Americans still rely — Social Security, unemployment insurance, the 40-hour work week, and the minimum wage. She spent summers throughout her life at her ancestral family homestead in Newcastle, now the nonprofit, nonpartisan Frances Perkins Center.
Lockhart will address Perkins’ historical work and the recent designation of the Center as a National Historic Landmark in December, about which Lockhart responded, “With a national monument designation, not only will [Frances Perkins] receive the recognition she deserves, but more people will also be able to learn about her work and future generations will be inspired by her steadfastness, intelligence, and courage.”
In addition, Lockhart will speak about what is available for residents who want to visit the Center and provide an overview of its programmatic work.
Phinney will discuss the importance of the AFL-CIO’s policy work to protect workers and maintain the social safety net that Perkins championed. She will highlight important bills at both the state and federal level and discuss how folks can get involved.
Phinney was present at the White House for President Joe Biden’s official designation of the Frances Perkins Homestead in December. She is a member of IBEW 1837 and the first woman elected as President of the Maine AFL-CIO in 2015.
At the time of her election, Phinney stated, “The union movement is the best way, and maybe the only way, that workers can be effective in the impact they have on the economy. Our well-being is set up by how well the economy is working and right now, it is set up to benefit a few. I want to help change that.”
All Lincoln County Democrats and unenrolled progressives are welcome to attend the meeting. LCDC voting members will automatically receive the Zoom log on information and reminders by email. Those interested in becoming a voting member must be a registered Democrat in Lincoln County and may make their interest known by indicating so at the in-person meeting, on the meeting registration form at lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet, or by emailing [email protected].
Pre-registration for the meeting is required for non-voting members who want to receive Zoom log on and/or phone-in details. Register before noon the day of the meeting to ensure access. However, LCDC will do its best to accommodate last-minute registrations.
More information about LCDC, its meetings, and other activities can be found at https://lincolncountydemocrats.com. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].
The LCDC promotes the ideals, principles, and philosophy shared as Democrats. The nomination and election of candidates who advocate these ideals and principles ensure an effective, democratic government of and for all the people.
