A longtime labor union & community activist; devoted ‘Kettle Day’ organizer
Providence, RI (May 17, 2010) – South Kingstown’s Maureen G. Martin, director of political activities for the R.I. Federation of Teachers and Health Professionals and secretary treasurer of the RI AFL-CIO, received United Way of Rhode Island’s prestigious Dante Mollo Labor Community Service Award.
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She picked up the plaque during the Institute for Labor Studies and Research’s annual dinner and awards banquet on May 13 at the Westin Hotel. Martin, who has been appointed as a member of the United Way RI Labor Cabinet, was honored for being a life-long union activist as well as for taking part in a myriad of charitable activities.
Most notably, is her work as a member of the R.I. Salvation Army Advisory Board. One of her passions for the last 13 years has been the R.I. Labor Union Kettle Day. Martin has organized hundreds of union members to help the Salvation Army by ringing Christmas kettle bells located at dozens of locations around the state.
United Way of Rhode Island has been giving out the Dante Mollo Labor Community Service Award annually to an individual in the labor community who is dedicated to improving and making a positive impact on the community. Martin’s work embodies UWRI’s core values of integrity, impact, engagement, inclusiveness and leadership.
“United Way selected Martin for this award because of the length and quality of her public service,” said Anthony Maione, president and CEO of United Way of Rhode Island. “She took on a key leadership role of reaching out to R.I. labor union leaders and members to gain support for an effort to bring holiday spirit to thousands of families who otherwise would be forgotten.”
After serving for 23 years in various leadership positions, culminating as president of her local union, at R.I. Council 94 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Martin retired from her state employment in 2003. She then joined the staff of the Institute for Labor Studies and Research.
She has worked closely with the private sector, public employee unions, corporate and business leaders, and community organizations. Martin has organized members for political action on local, state and national issues. As a union liaison with community organizations she continues to play a key role on numerous social justice projects.
UWRI’s Dante Mollo Labor Community Service Award is named for the late Dante Mollo, a leader with the United Steelworkers. He was director of United Way’s Labor Community Service department from 1977 until he retired in 1990. Mollo was well known for his selfless service to others. When he died 1994, this award and the emergency fund that United Way administers to help those in need were named in his honor.
For more information:
Faye Zuckerman
United Way of Rhode Island
(401) 444-0644-office
faye.zuckerman@uwri.org
About United Way of Rhode Island
United Way of Rhode Island has been working to improve the quality of life in Rhode Island communities for over 80 years. UWRI’s mission is to mobilize the caring power of the community to improve the lives of people in need and address the issues Rhode Islanders care most about. United Way’s goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place. We believe that all Rhode Islanders deserve the opportunity to have a better life, as when any one of us succeeds, we all succeed. At United Way, we refer to this as advancing the common good. For more information, visit www.LIVEUNITEDri.org
