The Peggy Browning Fund Fall Newsletter 2021

3 We did it! We wrapped our 23rd Annual Law Students Workers’ Rights Virtual Conference! We must say, the future of the workers’ rights movement is looking awfully bright! Between Friday Oct 15 and Sunday October 17, we hosted 40 unique sessions lead by over 70 field experts. These sessions ranged from large plenary sessions to interactive workshops, and small networking groups based on region, interest and affinity. The sessions were jam packed with practical information, inspiring labor successes, and calls to action that our participants were eager to follow. Attended by nearly 200 law students representing 80 different schools, this broad range united our work from coast to coast, from urban industrial cores to rural agricultural lands. The students were incredibly diverse and each brought their unique perspective to the conference, and yet a feeling of solidarity and commitment felt palpable, even virtually. Thanks to our partners at the Southern University Law Center, the event was hosted on a virtual conference platform that was as close to in person as possible. In addition to our learning sessions, participants were able to interact in the virtual lounge and explore materials in the resource center. Each participant was provided a virtual ‘briefcase’ to collect materials and download when needed, including an overview of the Peggy Browning Fund’s Summer Fellowship Program. Our sessions were intended to educate, inspire, and connect progressive law students with a passion for workers’ rights. Our feedback so far has shown we have done just that. Additionally, there was a clear thread through nearly every session— lack of diversity and inclusion is an existential threat to workers rights. In order for anyone to move forward economically, it needs to include all of us. Solidarity has no room for bigotry. The presenters and participants connected on this issue deeply, with acknowledgement of the limitations of the past and a commitment to a future where everyone has a seat at the table. As the Baby Boomers retire, and the torch is passed down the generational line, our whole world is shifting beneath our feet. Our best options for movement sustainability is connecting our past work to our future work, joining together with common purpose and shared vision. Our incredible community of experts are enormously committed to those coming into the work today, which was felt by participants deeply. Participants commonly talked about how warm and friendly they found our presenters, and felt welcome to continue the conversation outside the virtual space. This is what the Peggy Browning Fund does best; we invest in the unlimited potential of the workers’ rights movement by building bridges between our history and our future. Amara Blades, moderator, IUE-CWA/Peter Mitchell Labor Law Keynote Session 23rd Annual Virtual National Conference was a Success! Ending with a Commitment to the Future By: Rachel Del Rossi, Executive Director Attendees during the Keynote Session Kelley Tyler, campaign co-chair, National Nurses United at Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC, shared how the campaign was organized.