APWU POWER Convention Donates a Whopping $31,036 to COPA

(This article appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of The American Postal Worker magazine)

“APWU POWER: Fighting for Our Future!” was the theme that kicked off the Post Office Women for Equal Rights (POWER) 22nd Biennial National Convention in New York, NY. Facilitators offered workshops on a wide range of subjects, and participants received an abundance of information to share with their locals and states.

Highlights

Gale A. Brewer, District 6 member of the New York City Council, welcomed delegates and guests and encouraged them to visit the many attractions in New York City. She spoke of the challenges that women in public office face and commended APWU POWER for speaking out on women’s issues. The highlight of the convention occurred with inspiring video addresses by U.S. Representatives Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) and Ayanna Pressley, (MA-07). They spoke about the difficult times in today’s politics, especially for women and emphasized the importance of women fighting back against attempts to undermine their rights.

The convention’s opening day keynote speaker, U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), stated that the women in POWER must remain focused on reproductive freedom, pay equity, affordable health care, and electing more women to leadership positions. She emphasized that the fight for women’s equality is ongoing and referred to recent political attacks on women’s rights. She commended the women of APWU POWER for “Getting things done and getting things done well.”

APWU President Mark Dimondstein addressed the delegates via Zoom about the political climate in this country. He talked about the attacks on Social Security and federal jobs, the push for privatization of the Postal Service, eroding voter rights, the bigotry and racism running rampant today, the disregard for unions, and President Trump’s disrespect for the law. He encouraged delegates to remain vigilant and continue the fight. The convention held a memorial service for the POWER sisters who passed away since the last convention and lit candles in their remembrance.

A motion was made and passed unanimously to name the convention Josie McMillian’s APWU 22nd Biennial National POWER Convention!

The Northeast Region knocked the Eastern Region off its high horse, reclaiming the “COPA Award,” by contributing $7,716 to the APWU’s non-partisan Committee on Political Action (COPA). Other region totals were: Southern $6,800; Eastern $6,700; Western $6,500; and Central $3,320; Grand Total of $31,036.

National APWU Awards presented: the Elizabeth “Liz” Powell Executive Award to Tanya Jackson (Brooklyn Local), the Joyce B. Robinson Leadership Award to Antoinette Robinson (Kansas City Golden Jazz Retiree Chapter), and the Nilda Chock Pioneer Award to Yolanda Elder (Greater LA Area Local Retiree Chapter). Also, Joyce B. Robinson received numerous awards for her outstanding work and dedication to APWU POWER; outgoing POWER Coordinators received awards, and the POWER Coordinator’s Award went to Nadine Claude- Lewis, Southern Region.

Newly elected APWU POWER Coordinators:

• Wendy Smith-Scales, Central Region, Email: peekaboo4two@yahoo.com
• Antionette Hill, Eastern Region, Email: antoinettehill79@yahoo.com
• Alice Eppenstein, Northeast Region, Email: oliveandcrax@comcast.net
• Nakesha Williams, Southern Region, Email: nakeshabwilliams@gmail.com
• Dawn Gray, Western Region, Email: dawngray.apwu@gmail.com

The POWER sisters left the convention energized with a renewed commitment to help the APWU fight to change the political climate in this country in 2026! A special “thank you” goes out to the New York Metro Area Postal Union and the Brooklyn Local for hosting a most successful and productive convention! In closing, “Let’s pray that in this holiday season, love replaces hate, faith replaces fear, and people remember the bond we all share!” ■