Members of Metro DC CLUW joined nearly 400 attendees for CLUW’s 23rd Biennial Convention held November 8-11, 2025  in San Diego, CA. The chapter had 17 members attend the conference, with members actively participating in convention programming and committees. From conference video coverage to panel discussions and workshops to committee engagement, our members were an important part of the functioning of this year’s convention.

From our chapter delegation, we were pleased to have six members elected to national office. Our sincere congratulations go out to members Marilyn J. Wiley (CWA) elected as CLUW’s national treasurer; Tyra McClelland (AFGE), Margaret Cook (CWA) and Michelle McQuality (NALC) elected as national vice presidents representing their respective unions; as well as Debra Davis (SEIU) and LaRhonda Gamble (AFGE) elected as union delegates to the CLUW national executive board.

“CLUW’s biennial convention is always an electric time that gives us the chance to connect with our sisters and siblings from around the country,” said Metro DC CLUW Chapter President Chelsea Bland. “I am so delighted to see how our chapter has grown over the years and how we’ve brought our growth and energy to the national level. We are a chapter that prides itself on intergenerational cooperation and support, as well as fierce activism and women’s leadership. It’s an honor to see so many of our sisters elected to national leadership positions within CLUW and it demonstrates our chapter’s commitment to developing and advancing the leaders of today and tomorrow.”

At the convention key resolutions were passed by the delegates informing CLUW’s position on important issues domestically and abroad. Resolutions passed included recognition of the situation in Gaza in which CLUW passed four measures advocating for an immediate ceasefire, providing aid, and recognizing the genocide in the region.

Also, CLUW joined the call for the AFL-CIO to organize a Union Day of Solidarity and Rally calling out the Trump administration’s anti-labor and anti-worker policies, pledged to support union siblings in the federal sector and union sisters in the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, endorsed the national Target boycott campaign, called for an end to the military occupation in Washington, DC,  and pledged to mobilize in defense of immigrants, among other efforts. Our chapter was proud to be a part of a third of the 15 resolutions put forth and passed at the convention.

In addition to solidifying our collective vision for the future through the passage of resolutions, convention delegates also advanced key changes to our organization's constitution. Important changes include expanding representation on the CLUW national officers council to at least 18 unions, creating an automatic recurring dues payment option for national dues, and updating the name of the organization’s young women workers committee.

As a chapter we look forward to working with the new elected leadership of CLUW and we’re excited about the path ahead. Congratulations to National President Sylvia J. Ramos (CWA), Executive Vice President Rachel Walthall (APWU), National Treasurer Marilyn J. Wiley (CWA), Recording Secretary Ashley Lewis (UAW) and Corresponding Secretary Karen Bellamy Lewis (IFPTE). 

We are forever grateful for the leadership, guidance, support and love from CLUW President Emerita Elise Bryant. Through the years she has not only led our organization at the national level, but has been an active supporter and mentor to the Metro DC CLUW chapter. We look forward to her continued involvement in our chapter and are so grateful for her years of service. 

We also send our thanks to sister Judy Beard who retired as CLUW treasurer and passed the torch on to our very own Marilyn J. Wiley. Judy has been a lifelong member and leader of CLUW and we extend our gratitude for her incomparable leadership. 

Click here for a photo recap of Metro DC CLUW at the convention.