CARMEN I. FLORES – Labor and Community Activist, Educator, Organizer, Trainer, and Union Ambassador. Works at District Council 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO; the Largest Public Employee Union in NYC, as a Principal Program Coordinator for the Education Fund. A DC 37/AFSCME PAC Volunteer, an advocate for younger workers, and a mentor. A volunteer on the SOMOS, Inc. New York Executive Board as the 2nd Vice- Chair, and as a LCLAA Board Member always strive to protect social justice.
For over twenty (20) years she has dedicated her life to the struggle for social justice, dignity, and the decent standards of living for working families. In her younger years, she participated in Political Activism as a PAC volunteer in “El Barrio”. She picked up strength and wisdom from one of her mentors and pioneer, the late Senator Olga Mendez. She has participated in many GOTV efforts in support of electoral campaigns, at local, state, and federal levels. Her commitment to working families has shown as she: lobbied and testified in support of worker’s Rights, workplace violence, housing, health care, libraries, domestic Violence, Voters Rights, campaign for fiscal equity, minimum wage, or pay equity; “ she has been there”. As a former union officer and Grievance Representative, she focused on protecting working conditions, protected collecting bargaining Rights, and participated in many organizing campaigns in support of workers across the city of New York, other states, and US territories; including Puerto Rico.
Raised in “El Barrio”, and currently a Harlem resident, she continues to be supportive in any efforts to improve the quality of life and living conditions in her community. Carmen enjoys helping others, and assisting all endeavors in support of better housing, more after school programs for children and young adults, supportive comprehensive and accessible health care facilities, the support of mental health services, re-entering supportive programs, eradicating homelessness, preventing food insecurities, bringing healthy food into the neighborhood, workforce development, and comprehensive advocacy programs for seniors.
She credits her beloved mother for being her primary influence in her life. Carmen appreciates her mother’s inspiration for excellence and activism influenced her to take an active role in the rebuilding and protecting the community. She is the recipient of the 2014 AFSCME’s Jerry Wurf and William “Bill” Lucy scholarships, and a graduate from the Harvard Law School Work Life Union Program.
Carmen I. Flores continues to be an example to young women and men as she continues to find life-life balance by volunteering on worthy causes. She continues to lead by example through her commitment to social justice, community engagement and labor union organizing. Her devotion to protect the Rights of people, keeps her involved and motivated to participate in ambitious community projects for the protection of her Villages; in Puerto Rico, “El Barrio” and, “Harlem”. “Siempre adelante por la Raza”