In Historical Perspective

ANDREA BROOKS, A CHAMPION OF CIVIL RIGHTS
FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WORKERS

By Sylvia Thomas Ballinger

Mrs. Andrea E. Brooks is a champion of civil rights for federal government workers.

As National Vice President for the 600,000-member American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Brooks is always fighting for fairness and equality for the masses -particularly women. As an elected officer, she oversees the Women's and Fair Practices Departments at AFGE.

Her rise to prominence in the union began at the Department of Veterans Affairs in California. After growing up in Indianapolis, Indiana, Brooks packed up her three children and moved to Los Angeles in order to "do more."

She discovered that California was a more liberal state, but found that "discrimination still existed on all fronts." After watching white men, whom she trained, being promoted around her, Brooks joined her local AFGE because she knew that "something was wrong with this picture." And right away, she began to make a difference.

"When you join the union, you learn your rights, benefits, strengths, and you learn about the power of many," Brooks said. "It's an equalizer- when you're with a union, you're on an even footing with management, and with the power of the union behind you, they listen."

Brooks received her promotions at work and rose through the ranks of AFGE local 490. She served in every capacity from shop steward to president because she says, "she was good at it." Learning everything she could about the rights of federal workers, Brooks was instrumental in saving people's jobs. She also admits to "getting in people's faces when she needed to."

Brooks' activism has turned towards the upcoming presidential election. Her departments are spearheading programs to educate people about their voting rights and she's enlisted the help of other labor unions to provide voter protection teams to thirty-five targeted cities.

Brooks says, "What happened in the 2000 election didn't just happen in Florida, voter suppression occurred everywhere." Poll watchers will be stationed at various precincts around the country. "We have the infrastructure to monitor and make an impact on this election," she said.

The AFGE has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry because, according to Brooks, "He stands behind protecting job security for Federal employees, unlike President Bush who wanted to slash about 800,000 federal jobs."

For Brooks, everyday as an activist is a challenge. "What you do today has an impact later," she said. Brooks speaks from first hand experience. In 1974, she found herself marching with other women and speaking out in the media because her union wanted to abolish the women's department that she now runs. She is still, 30 years later, unequivocally passionate about what is fair and right.

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