Leaders in Action for Justice

Wandra Pitts

Wandra Pitts L.1000 (1)
  • 1000
  • Public Division
If there were a leadership yearbook, what would your yearbook superlative be and why?

Band Together – Make a Difference. This past year has been a busy one with having conversations with family, friends and members of the community regarding campaigns and how they can get involved. Making a connection between the needs of all people and how SEIU Local 1000 is involved in making a difference. Helping others to realize the importance of their involvement and how banding together, we can achieve what many say is impossible.

What is one of your proudest leadership moments during the past year and why? Feel free to share more than one.

I had the opportunity to bring my daughter, for the first time, and a group of friends on a Local 1000 bus trip from Sacramento to Oakland to participate in the National Day of Action on November 10, 2015. This was no ordinary bus trip… the SPARKS of Local 1000 were prepared to IGNITE the crowd by actively engaging in conversations with members and the community about our personal stories and how we share similarities of being impacted by income inequality. We also expressed the importance of membership and COPE… and why we contribute to COPE. This bus trip and FF15 rally made a bigger impact than I realized. Creating an experience left a lasting, positive impression of SEIU and connection to the Local 1000 Purpose Statement of having the power necessary to give our members—and all Californians—the opportunity to have a good life, live in sustainable communities and enjoy the fruits of social, economic and environmental justice.

Looking ahead to this year, what do you want to be the next step in your development as a leader? How will that step help our movement for economic and racial justice?

Mentoring opportunities with SEIU staff. Continued involvement in campaigns with increased responsibility. Member involvement to engage peer at worksites and using connections developed during past campaigns. Members can make a better connection with other members who share the same values and interests.

Anything else you would like to add?

I would like to thank you for investing in my development and giving me the opportunity to be involved in something bigger than myself. You have truly created an experience for me and laid the foundation of the skills necessary to identify and recruit other leaders!