Monthly Archives: July 2014

By Robin Kerfoot, Local 1000, North Carolina NAACP Freedom Summer Action Project

I am working on the Freedom Summer project in North Carolina – it has been a very busy third week! This week, Victor Bowling (my UFCW GOLD partner) and I have been working with an organizer from the NAACP, Robert Gray. We have been educating people on the issues facing North Carolinians and helping them to register to vote and update their information.

On Monday and Tuesday we delivered voting registration boxes to local barber shops. We also set up volunteers who will check these boxes every few days. On Tuesday evening we attended a dinner with the Raleigh branch of the NAACP political action committee. We were able to meet several amazing people, discuss upcoming events, and listen to their take on how things are affecting their communities and how we can help.

On Wednesday evening we teamed up with the League of Conservation Voters at a local basketball tournament. This tournament was the perfect place to register voters and collect signatures for a petition against pollution. When the tournament ended, we enjoyed pizza and Gatorade with all of the spectators.

Friday evening we held a screening of PBS’s Freedom Summer at a local church.  When the film ended, a lot of people mentioned that there was a lot of information in the film they had never heard before. Even people there who lived through the Freedom Summer said they learned something. Hearing everyone’s views on it was great.

Saturday we had two events scheduled, an LGBTQ expo and a neighborhood canvass. At the LGBTQ expo we handed out information and registered people to vote with Nicole, a NAACP organizer. It was a lot of fun talking with and meeting new people. That evening we met up with volunteers and some people from the NAACP Raleigh branch to canvass a neighborhood. We were able to educate people we met on current issues and even registered a few to vote. I really enjoyed getting to meet so many interesting people.

The GOLD experience has changed me in such a positive way. I’ve seen how communities can come together to help each other, and in turn help themselves. I have been truly inspired by all of the wonderful people I have met here.

OUR Walmart member Bene’t Holmes

On July 22, the White House honored local “Champions of Change,” leaders and ordinary Americans taking action to raise wages and advocate for full-time schedules for working women and men around the country. The honorees are activists, advocates, business owners, and workers who are looking to reestablish the basic premise that no American working 40 hours a week should have to live in poverty. The Champions were distinguished through their community involvement, hard work, and sacrifice.  The event showcased these inspirational leaders and highlighted the importance of providing all Americans with the dignity of a decent wage and full-time hours. Walmart worker and OUR Walmart member Bene’t Holmes was one of the honorees.

Holmes is a mother who works for Walmart and is paid $8.75 an hour. Holmes is involved with the movement “Respect the Bump,” which calls for a stronger policy for pregnant workers and will allow them to work while protecting their health. She has been calling for the company to publicly commit to paying a minimum of $25,000 a year, providing full time work, and ending the company’s illegal retaliation against workers who are speaking out for better jobs.

“I’m proud to be part of a movement that’s leading the fight to change the way Walmart does business, and hope my story will inspire others to take a stand for better workplace conditions,” said Holmes.

Read Holmes’ story and how she became involved in OUR Walmart and the “Respect the Bump” campaign to raise the standards for Walmart workers and ensure that all pregnant women at Walmart are able to get light duty when they need it.