The TWU Air Transport Division Working Women's Committee (ATDWWC) held their second meeting of the year on June 14, hosted by Local 568's union hall in Miami, Florida by the Local's President, Sidney Jimenez. Two new representatives, Angie Bell from Local 514 and Shannon Smith from Local 525, joined the 21 women in attendance from ATD locals across the country.

Following with its primary goals to address women's issues, mentor women for leadership roles at their locals and in their communities, and to cultivate interest in union activism, the Committee heard from several speakers who spoke on women's issues ranging from employment discrimination to how to detect and prevent skin cancer. Libby Herrera-Navarette, a labor attorney for Local 568 who specializes in employment discrimination and sexual harassment litigation addressed the group about those issues.

Patty Ireland, also a labor attorney, discussed her experience working as a flight attendant for Pan American Airways and then returning to school to earn a law degree. Ireland has the distinction of being the National Organization for Women's (NOW) longest serving president. She explained that when, "back in those days," the company offered family coverage only for men she turned to NOW and asked for help, which is when her association with the organization began. Other speakers in attendance were: Deborah Dion, Political Director for the South Florida AFL-CIO; Jeannie Driscoll, Managing Director of AA's Miami Cargo operations and Maria Greco, a pilot and businesswoman. Local 568 members Joyce Frissora and Gilda Brown Suluki presented research they had completed on skin cancer, including statistics and treatment and prevention of the disease. Newcomer Angie Bell said, "I was truly amazed by the strength and power of the women in the room; I've never experienced so much sisterhood."

The next WWC meeting is scheduled for October 14th-16th in Hurst, Texas. A community service project supporting the Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" is scheduled for the 16th. For details go to: www.atdwwc.org.