Diane Babineaux
September 9, 2009
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Diane Babineaux
General Vice President
Diane Babineaux joined the IAM Executive Council on July 1, 2013 as the first African-American woman to serve as a General Vice President. She previously served as the Chief of Staff, formerly Executive Assistant, to the International President since 2000.
Her assigned duties as General Vice President include coordinating and administering the activities of several IAM Departments at Headquarters and to continue promoting the IAM’s mission to expand women’s and human rights. Babineaux started her career at the IAM in the MNPL/Political Department and moved to the Research Department. She became Special Assistant to the International President, then later appointed Executive Assistant.
Many of her duties include assisting the International President by researching economic and political trends and communicating the impact on working families. She also has responsibility for expense management and budgetary controls. In addition, Babineaux manages and directs the Human Rights department, Women’s Department and the Young Machinist Program.
Babineaux works closely with the international trade union secretariats of IndustriALL with which the IAM is affiliated.
She was instrumental in holding the inaugural IAM Human Rights Conference in Orlando, FL and the first Young Machinists Symposium in Toronto, Canada.
Babineaux is an active member of the Labor, Human Rights and African-American Communities. She is on the IAM’s Board of Directors for Guide Dogs of America. She is a former Maryland Transportation Commissioner.
Her favorite charitable event is participating in the Las Vegas “Hawgs for Dogs” motorcycle event to support Guide Dogs of America.
Babineaux’s most memorable accomplishment of 2015 was completing the re-creation of the historic 1965 march from, Selma to Montgomery, AL, March 4-9, 2015.
MEMBERSHIPS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Diane is a current Trustee of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionist (CBTU) and serves on the CBTU Women’s Committee. She is also on the National Board of A. Philip Randolph Institute (APRI). Other memberships include:
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)
Voter Participation Black Women’s Roundtable
Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and Board Member
Conference of Minority Transportation Official (COMTO)
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
National Action Network (NAN)
National Coalition of Black Civic Participation and Board Member
National Council of Negro Women
National Democratic Club
National Urban League
Operation PUSH
Pride at Work
AWARDS and RECOGNITION
April 30, 2012-A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award, Baltimore Chapter APRI.
U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin, Certificate of Special Recognition, A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award. April 30, 2012
U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award, April 30, 2012.
City of Baltimore, Mayor of Baltimore, April 30, 2012.
Congressional Achievement Award, U.S. House of Representatives, A. Philip Randolph Legacy Award, Congressman Elijah Cummings, April 30, 2012.
The State of Maryland Governor’s Citation, Martin O’Malley, Anthony Brown, April 30, 2012.
August 9, 2011, Distinguished Visitor Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners
April 2011, APRI Seattle Chapter, Appreciation Award
January 2009, Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Service Award
October 20, 2007, NAACP Salutes Women in NAACP Prince Georges Chapter.
July 11, 2007, NAACP Benjamin L. Hooks, Keeper of the Flame Award, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 98th Convention July 11, 2007
February 22, 2003, The District of Columbia Chapter of the CBTU Black History Month Appreciation Award “Commemorating our Spirit”
2003, A. Philip Randolph Gentle Warrior Award, The A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.
October 19, 2002, Outstanding Labor Leaders, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (Kentucky Chapter)
November 13, 2001, Governor of Maryland for the Kathleen Townsend Award, Parris N. Glendenning, Governor
November 13, 2001, Resolution by the City Council of Baltimore in Recognition for receiving the Kathleen Townsend Award of Excellence for Women in Government Service.
November 13, 2001, Maryland Women for Responsive Government Inc. for receiving the Kathleen Kennedy Townsend Award of Excellence for Women in Government Service.
August 14, 2001, National Black Police Association Life Membership Award.
May 27, 2001, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, Rising Star Award, 30th National Convention
January 2000, Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance, AFL-CIO, CLC/Labor Committee
August 12, 2000, In recognition of your Service and Dedication, Women’s Recognition Dinner, Local Lodge 733.
July 1, 1997-July 1, 2000, The State of Maryland, Parris N. Glendenning, Governor to appointed and commissioned a member of Maryland Transportation.
Babineaux has a long history of labor union affiliation. Her father worked for Amtrak and is a retired union member of the Railway Carmen Union, and her grandmother is a retired union member of HERE. Her mother-in-law worked for John H. Swisher Company in Jacksonville, FL, which is represented by the IAM.
Diane Babineaux is a long-time resident of the Washington, DC area. She has one daughter, Telissha and three grandchildren, Taylor, Breanna and Ava. She and her husband, Kenneth, attend Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, MD. Her main hobbies include collecting music and photography.
