Barbara J. Easterling (born 1933) is an American former labor unionist.

Easterling grew up in Akron, Ohio, becoming a telephone operator at Ohio Bell, and also joining the Communication Workers of America (CWA). She became a steward of her local, then its secretary and finally its vice-president.[1][2]

In 1970, Easterling was appointed by John J. Gilligan as secretary of the Ohio Labor Division, in which role she drafted laws to protect women's rights at work, and restrict child labor. She stood down in 1973 to work full-time for the CWA, and in 1980 became assistant to its president, Glenn Watts. She was later elected as an executive vice-president of the union, and in 1992 as its secretary-treasurer.[1][2]

In 1995, Easterling served as secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Labor, the first woman to hold the post. However, before the end of the year, she returned to her role at the CWA. She also became president of the World Women's Committee of the Union Network International, and as a member of the Democratic National Committee.[1][2]

Easterling retired from her union posts in 2008.[2] In 2009, she was elected as president of the Alliance for Retired Americans.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Barbara Easterling". AFL–CIO. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d "Easterling to retire in 2008". Communication Workers of America. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Barbara Easterling, Ruben Burks Re-elected as Leaders of the Alliance". Alliance for Retired Americans. 2 May 2014. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
Trade union offices Preceded byJames E. Booe Secretary-Treasurer of the Communication Workers of America 1992–2008 Succeeded byJeff Rechenbach Preceded byThomas R. Donahue Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL–CIO 1995 Succeeded byRichard Trumka Non-profit organization positions Preceded byGeorge Kourpias President of the Alliance for Retired Americans 2009–2015 Succeeded byRobert Roach
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