The Leadership Conference Congratulates April Verrett on Historic Election as SEIU President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McNeil, [email protected]

WASHINGTON — Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after the election of April Verrett as the new president of SEIU at the 2024 SEIU International Convention:

“The Leadership Conference congratulates SEIU on the historic selection of April Verrett as the first Black woman to serve as its president. SEIU is a longtime member of our civil and human rights coalition. April’s historic ascension to this role is a critical moment for SEIU and for the American labor movement. Given the breadth and depth of her experience, her commitment to helping working people build power through unions, and her dedication to racial justice and workers’ rights, we know that April will continue to be an incredible leader at SEIU and will help to secure powerfully important victories for workers across the country.

“Nearly 75 years ago, Black labor leader A. Philip Randolph helped to found The Leadership Conference coalition. Today, we are proud that so many labor organizations — including SEIU — play a deep and vital role in the strength of our coalition and in the work we do every day to advance justice for our communities. With April at the helm of SEIU, we have no doubt that our shared work to dismantle structural racism and eliminate generational poverty will continue to lift up workers, improve workplaces, and strengthen our democracy. The stakes are incredibly high during this hugely consequential year for the future of our nation. And April is up to the task.

“We are also tremendously grateful for Mary Kay Henry’s 14-year tenure as SEIU president and for her service on our board of directors for many years. Mary Kay’s visionary leadership has been game-changing for the labor movement, and America is better off because of her significant contributions.

“During Labor History Month, we celebrate April Verrett’s historic election, honor Mary Kay Henry’s critical leadership, and look forward to this new era for SEIU and organized labor.”

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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