August 2007
August 2, 2007
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Lisa “Lee” Carter is a 4-year member of the IAM and has served as Chairperson for LL 706 for the past 2 years. As Chairperson for LL 706, Sister Lee serves as a liaison between the members of her lodge and BNSF Railroad and is especially concerned with safety conditions.
Working in the railroad industry, Sister Lee is one of a few women in this non-traditional job. She says she strives to respect and be respected by her coworkers. It is this mutually respected relationship and Sister Lee’s genuine desire to make working conditions better, that has won her the support and encouragement of her lodge brothers. For other sisters considering leadership positions, especially in non-traditional occupations, Sister Lee advises, “Don’t get discouraged, be genuine in your work to improve conditions for the entire lodge and conduct yourself such that you earn the respect of your sisters and brothers.”
Sister Lee is just as active in her community as she is in her lodge. In her spare time is involved with the Rally for Life, Police Activities League (PAL), an EMT and an on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week volunteer with the National Association of Search and Rescue (NASAR). She enjoys spending time with her 2 daughters, son-in-law and 2 granddaughters.
IAM Sister Valerie Folk is a 35 year member of the IAM and has served on the Executive Board for the past 30 years. A retired production worker from Moduline Industries clearly understands what it means when the say, “You can retire from your job, but not your union.” She is still very active on the Canadian National Women’s Committee, in her district and is the Recording Secretary for Local Lodge 2711.
Sister Valerie first became active by volunteering for things within the union. Very soon she became a shop steward and ultimately was elected Recording Secretary. She was first motivated because she didn’t like the way employees were being treated by the company and felt compelled to act.
When encountering obstacles, Sister Valerie says persistence gets her through, admitting, “I never like to get beat on an issue.” She is most proud of her involvement with the National Women’s Committee Quilt, her work with the Executive Board of her district and helping a sister from another local work through the process to get justice.
