ILWU Women’s Conference celebrates trailblazers and paths towards leadership

More than 150 delegates and guests attended the Third Annual ILWU Women’s Conference in Maui from September 27-29. The conference brought together women from across the ILWU’s divisions to learn, build leadership skills, promote camaraderie, recognize the critical contributions women leaders have made to the ILWU, and discuss ways to create more
pathways for women in leadership within the union.

Delegates also heard from women leaders inside and outside the ILWU, who shared insights into their own leadership journeys. In addition to delegates from the ILWU, there were five women from the International Longshoremen’s Association from ports on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico.

The conference was the result of a resolution passed unanimously at the 2021 ILWU International Convention. A committee of members from across the union worked with ILWU Education Director Robin Walker to plan the event.

Warm Aloha

The conference started with a brief evening program and a welcome from the ILWU’s Titled Officers: President Bobby Olvera, Jr., Vice President (Hawai’i) Brandon Wolff, Secretary-Treasurer Ed Ferris, and Local 142 Officers: President Chris West, Secretary-Treasurer Michael Victorino, Jr., Eddie Hayashi, Hawaii Longshore Vision Vice Director, and Stephen West, Maui Division Director.

Secretary-Treasurer Ferris opened the conference and introduced Local 142 President Chris West.

West began with a moment of silence to honor the seven members of Local 142 Maui Division who lost their lives on August 8, 2023, during the devastating Maui wildfires. West also recognized the remarkable grit and determination of the 2700 ILWU members working in West Maui who continue to be affected by the fires. West highlighted the important contributions women leaders have made to Local 142 and the entire ILWU. “When women lead, they lift all of us,” West said. “This conference is our chance to carry forward that torch, to honor the sacrifices of those who came before us, and to recommit ourselves to building a future where fairness, opportunity, and equality are not the exception, but the rule.”

President Olvera emphasized the Titled Officers’ commitment to inclusion, empowering members, and making sure the union’s direction reflects the collective voice of its members through a democratic and transparent process.
Olvera shared his personal experiences of exclusion and resilience to highlight the importance of mutual support and encouraged delegates to be bold in envisioning the union’s future.

“We have to look at things differently and act on things differently,” Olvera said. “Let’s talk about the things in the past that were not right. Let’s talk about the things happening now that are not right. Let’s talk about the things we want to see in the future to make things right. Be brave and be bold. I can guarantee you that the International officers have your back.”

Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke

ILWU International Vice President (Hawaii) Brandon Wolff introduced the first speaker on the conference’s first full day, Hawaii Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke. In his introduction, Vice President Wolff spoke about how strong women influenced his development as a union leader, sharing how he followed in the footsteps of his mother, a labor leader in UNITE-HERE Local 5.

“I watched my mom serve the rank and file. That’s where I get it from,”
Wolff said. “I’m here today because my mom instilled that work ethic and those values in me.”

He described Lt. Gov. Luke as a “barrier breaker” and “changemaker” who influenced how he approaches legislative politics after he first met her during the COVID crisis.

Luke discussed the ongoing fight for women’s rights and labor rights, highlighting that they should not be taken for granted. She shared how recent many of these rights are by telling a story about receiving a $500 scholarship from the Rotary Club in 1985 to help cover her first semester at the University of Hawaii. In her speech thanking them, she expressed her wish to someday become a member of the Rotary Club, unaware that women were not allowed to join. It wasn’t until 1987 that the Supreme Court ruled that the Rotary Club would have to admit women.

“That was only 40 years ago. When I reflect on my life and how far we have come, I know for a fact how hard it was to win equal rights, how hard it was to have a place at the table, and that we must continue to hold dear and continue to fight for today.”

Trailblazers

A panel of pioneering ILWU women leaders was facilitated by Local 63’s Patricia Aguirre-Brown. It featured Local 63 pensioner Pat Miretti, the first woman to serve as a supercargo; Vannetta Hamlin from Local 10, the first woman elected Vice President of Local 10; Local 40 pensioner Dawn DesBrisay, the first woman to serve on the Coast Longshore Division’s Legislative Committee and past President of Local 40; and IBU pensioner Terri Mast, a longtime Secretary-Treasurer of the IBU and the first woman elected to a national leadership position in an ILWU affiliate.

The panelists discussed breaking barriers, solidarity, sisterhood, saying “yes” to opportunities, building coalitions and community, political engagement, and resilience, and the importance of education and mentorship.

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura

Speaker of the Hawaii House of Representatives, Nadine Nakamura, spoke to the delegates about her political career and leadership journey. In 2024, Speaker Nakamura became the first woman to serve as House Speaker in Hawaii and is the only Asian American in the U.S. to hold that position. Nakamura acknowledged the groundwork laid by women activists over the past century that paved the way for her to become Speaker.

“Two key events had to happen before the first woman legislator was elected in Hawaii. First, in 1920, the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution that granted women the right to vote,” she said. “Then, two years later, in 1922, the Hawaii Organic Act had to be amended to remove the requirement that only males could be candidates for House and Senate seats.

Nakamura highlighted the pioneering work of Rosalie Keli’inoi, who became the first woman elected to the Hawaii Territorial Legislature in 1925. She concluded with some advice for emerging women leaders, encouraging delegates to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work that “sometimes men only talk about, and to do it with aloha and respect.”

“Find the good in everyone. Be a good listener. Surround yourself with people with different approaches, not just clones of yourself. Take care of yourself so you can help others around you and your family.”|

Spotlight on organizing

A panel on organizing, facilitated by ILWU Canada Organizer Genevieve Lorenzo with Local 5’s Myka Dubay, Local 63 OCU Vice President Dawn Feikema, and Local 142’s Neeve McGrath, discussed the lessons they learned from organizing victories and setbacks.|

They emphasized that successful external organizing — bringing new members into the union — relies on strong internal organizing that builds unity and participation among current members. They shared practical ways to foster unity through intentional internal organizing and by promoting inclusive leadership that reflects the diversity of the membership.

Dubay explained how Local 5 negotiates contracts that include language addressing the needs of marginalized groups, such as bargaining
for reproductive healthcare coverage and gender-affirming care. They also discussed Local 5’s community-building efforts, including regularly organizing social events that bring union members together.

Feikema explained how 63 OCU gradually built a strong contract over the years and how it serves as an external organizing tool—drawing interest from non-union shops that approach them about forming a union after seeing the pay and benefits Local 63 OCU members have won through their contracts.

McGrath discussed the campaign to organize restaurant workers at her
hotel, her reasons for wanting a union, and the employer’s response. They
hired an expensive union-busting firm that managed to divide workers by
promising younger employees benefits if they voted against the union. Workers lost the union vote by 5 votes.|

Finding Your Voice

Local 52 President Kesa Sten conducted a workshop on participating in union meetings, providing practical advice and encouragement to help members feel more comfortable speaking, along with a brief session on parliamentary procedure. Sten emphasized that becoming comfortable speaking requires practice and repetition, and even seasoned leaders can feel nervous. She highlighted that women’s emotional intelligence can be an asset in leading meetings effectively and maintaining order.

“Your voice, your opinions, your input matter. At union meetings, on the job, in the hiring hall—I’m referring to a microphone, but also the broader idea of amplifying your voices and speaking confidently,” Sten stated.

Women Make History

The day ended with a screening of the documentary Ah Quon McElrath: The Struggle Never Ends, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers Victoria Kneubuhl and Joy Chong Stannard.

The film chronicles the life and legacy of the legendary ILWU leader and social activist, a powerful voice for the working class who dedicated her life to fighting for racial equality and justice. In 1946, Ah Quon volunteered to support ILWU  members during the 1946 sugar strike, and in 1954, she was hired by Local 142 to provide social services to union members, a position she held until her retirement
in 1981. Ah Quon was made an honorary member of the ILWU at the 2003 convention.

‘Be more than a bystander’

ILWU Canada Third Vice President Jessica Isbister and Local 502’s Monica Appelt led a workshop on preventing workplace bullying and harassment. The session was based on ILWU Canada Longshore Division’s Be More Than a Bystander program, which aims to create a respectful, safe, and supportive union
workplace by addressing harassment, bullying, and violence through practical bystander interventions. Isbister and Appelt emphasized that violence and harassment exist on a continuum where “small” disrespect normalizes and enables more serious harm; workplaces that overlook these issues become less safe and less productive. Addressing workplace violence requires teamwork and shared responsibility among workers, the union, and the employer, they said.|

The workshop emphasized that bystander intervention is not about being a hero. They provided a range of practical, safe, non-verbal, and verbal strategies to de-escalate conflicts and support victims of harassment.

Appelt discussed how intimate partner violence is a workplace concern, noting that in the United States, 13,000 acts of violence are committed by intimate partners against women in the workplace each year.

Self-care and Women’s Health

The morning session concluded with two panels: one focusing on selfcare with Area Welfare Directors Robin Leake and Andrea Stevenson; and ADRP Representatives Tamiko Love and Hunny Powell; and a second panel on women’s health led by Nobriga- Petrichko from Kaiser Permanente. The self-care panelists discussed the importance of estate planning and proactive preparation for major life challenges, actively managing mental and emotional health, and understanding and overcoming burnout. The panel emphasized that attending to your emotional, mental, and physical health is not an indulgence but essential to protect loved ones and sustain individuals in demanding leadership roles.

The women’s healthcare session provided practical tips and resources to improve “healthspan”—not just lifespan through small, realistic changes and consistent self-care. The recommendations included appropriate health screenings, lifestyle foundations such as adequate sleep, physical activity, stress management, and nutrition.

Passing it forward

The final workshop, “Mentorship and Passing it Forward,” featured Local 13 Vice President Brandi Good, Local 8 Vice President Justine Hansen, Local 40 Vice President Kathleen Harrison, Local 142 Business Agent Corin Keku, and was moderated by Terri Mast.

The session highlighted the journeys of women leaders, emphasizing that overcoming systemic barriers—such as limited representation and workplace hostility—requires proactive efforts to seek guidance and uplift others.
Mentors help women understand union rules and processes, provide support, help them overcome barriers, and build a safer, more inclusive environment for the next generation of women. Visible women leaders inspire others and demonstrate that advancement is achievable.

Brandi Good distinguished between mentors—who guide and motivate—and sponsors—who advocate for you when you’re not in the room and said she learned that leadership is about responsibility to members, not just titles.

Justine Hansen explained that she ran for Vice President after being inspired at the 2023 Women’s Conference by Local 54’s Stephanie Flores’ story about becoming the first woman vice president of her local. Although Hansen didn’t win her first election, a letter she had written to herself as part of the Women’s Conference motivated her to run again—and this time she won.

Her experience shows how hearing from women leaders can build confidence and inspire action. “You don’t always remember what people say to you, but you always
remember how they made you feel, and Steph Flores made me feel like I could step up,” Hansen said.|

Kathleen Harrison drew inspiration from pioneering ILWU women, including Peggy Maher, Martha Hendricks, and Dawn Debrisay. Harrison advised women to be persistent, start running early, and not be discouraged by losses, because winning allows you to make a real difference.

Corin Keku said she faced hostility when she first ran for office, but refused to be deterred. She learned that no one should block your vision for
making a difference. As a leader, Keku said she actively mentors women, telling them, “I’m training you to be my replacement,” empowering them and ensuring the union grows with strong female leaders.

Following the panel, participants were encouraged to write letters to their future selves and to carry the conference’s inspiration into concrete action in union leadership, inclusion, and advocacy. The letters were then collected and will be mailed to the participants in a year.

Sheroics

A key theme of the conference was the importance of women’s leadership to the ILWU’s strength. As reported in last month’s Dispatcher, that was evident during the conference when Local 94 member Priscilla Appell used her quick thinking and extensive first aid skills to help save a person’s life after a drowning incident at the hotel pool

Closing

Pres. Olvera and Sec-Treas Ferris concluded the conference by thanking the delegates and expressing hope that they would continue their leadership journeys upon returning to their locals.|

“Our union is better when we have strong women leaders,” Ferris said. “Get out of your comfort zone. Put yourself into leadership because our union needs you.”

Olvera encouraged the delegates to return to their locals and begin the work necessary to uplift the union and overcome division. He advised them to begin introducing resolutions early in their locals, rather than waiting three months until the next ILWU Convention. He also emphasized the importance of increasing the number of women in leadership roles at both the international and local levels to better reflect the membership of the ILWU.

Conference reflections

Local 19’s Chelsea Reissler expressed her gratitude to her local for giving her the opportunity to attend and spoke about discussed key takeaways from the conference. “Women have consistently been the backbone of the labor movement and the ILWU. From organizing soup kitchens during strike times to leaders like Ah  Quon McElrath, who dedicated her life to educating ILWU members and advocating for all workers’ rights, women have made significant contributions to our union,” Reissler said.|

“One of the key takeaways from the conference was the importance of tenacity and perseverance. We must be willing to endure setbacks and maintain focus on our goals. We must continue to rise and lift our sisters and brothers along the way to protect our union.

“I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Local 52 President Kesa Sten. Her exceptional workshop, ‘Finding Your Voice,’ was one of my favorite sessions of the weekend. I am incredibly proud of my sister after working together for 20 years in the industry.”

Local 142’s Doris Kalawaia, “The conference was very inspiring. I also have a leadership background. I’m a chef de partie at our hotel. I’ve met a lot of amazing women here and learned about what they have accomplished over the years and the challenges they’ve faced in some male-dominated industries. It was definitely empowering to see them continue to do what they do. They really can’t count us out.”