Union members invited to Women's March anniversary commemoration in Paducah Sunday afternoon

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

Union members helped swell the ranks in last year’s Murray March for Equality and Social Justice, one of an estimated 570 worldwide sister marches to the historic Women’s March on Washington.

Veterans of the Murray march are welcome to join a Women’s March anniversary celebration Sunday afternoon at the Cherry Civic Center in Paducah.

“We’d love to have them,” said Lea Wentworth, a celebration organizer.

Commemorative marches and observances are set for several cities nationwide on Saturday.

Wentworth, a Paducah librarian, said the eight stated principles of the commemorations included support for workers’ rights:

“We believe in an economy powered by transparency, accountability, security and equity. All women should be paid equitably, with access to affordable childcare, sick days, healthcare, paid family leave, and healthy work environments. All workers – including domestic and farm workers, undocumented and migrant workers - must have the right to organize and fight for a living minimum wage.”

Wentworth said Paducah program participants will enjoy sign-making, singing songs and networking from 1-3 p.m. “There won’t be any formal speeches, but we will have an open mike for people who want to speak.”

She said a local Democratic state House candidate is expected: Charlotte Goddard of Graves County.

At 3, the sign-makers and others who come will gather outside the center at 2701 Park Ave, weather permitting.

Wentworth said the festivities were planned for Sunday to give local people a chance to attend Saturday marches in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green or elsewhere.

Wentworth was in the New Orleans march last January. “We decided to put something together here in Paducah this year.”

The Murray march on Jan. 21, 2017, attracted an estimated 800 people, including several union women and men from western Kentucky.

Speakers included Jeff Wiggins of Reidland, secretary-treasurer of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO. Union groups included a local contingent from the USW’s Women of Steel organization headed by Donna Steele, president of USW Local 550 in Paducah.

More information is available from Wentworth, the media liaison for Paducah Progressive Action, via email at leawenthome@gmail.com or from the event’s Facebook page: https://m.facebook.com/events/129809731155711