Women’s History Month: Women Stewards Who Keep Our Union Strong

During Women’s History Month, we’re proud to recognize the women leaders in our workplaces who step up for their coworkers every day. Union stewards are often the first line of defense for members — making sure contracts are enforced, workers are treated fairly, and no one has to face problems on the job alone.

Across our union, women are taking on these roles and making a difference for their fellow members. Here we’re highlighting three of them: Mendy Ferrell, Ami Stigall, and April Glenn — leaders who stepped forward to help others and strengthen our union.

Mendy Ferrell

Union Steward — Pilgrim’s Pride, Hickory, KY

What inspired you to become a union steward?
“I wanted to be a voice for others who might not be confident in standing up for themselves. When COVID happened there were not many of us and I saw some coworkers being treated wrong so I wanted to make sure they were treated right.”

Can you share a time when advocating for a fellow member made you especially proud to serve in this role?
“When the tornado hit Mayfield in 2021 a lot of members were affected and at first they were being pointed for their absence and I went and fought for them to have these things taken care of because they were dealing with everything that had happened to them.”

What does it mean to you to serve as a woman in this role?
“I believe that women are overlooked in roles like mine because society sometimes makes it seem that women should be seen and not heard. I want every woman to know that no matter role she plays that her voice is just as important as everyone else. No one should ever be afraid to voice their concerns about things that are going on.”

Ami Stigall

Chief Union Steward — Kroger Store 757, Somerset, KY

What inspired you to become a union steward?
“I was inspired to become a steward in 2020 because store management was being unfair when enforcing company rules concerning clothing that made political statements. I felt like the only way to make my voice heard and to help fellow members was to become active in the Union, so when the Chief Steward position came open at my Kroger store, I successfully ran for the position.”

Can you share a time when advocating for a fellow member made you especially proud to serve in this role?
“I had a young member come to me and share that she was being sexually harassed by a co-worker. Management had been informed about some of the things this individual had said to other members but were failing to properly handle the situation. The assistant Chief and I had to basically force management to address and resolve this situation. I was not only happy to have helped the member who came to me but I was also glad I helped others who had been harassed, but were too afraid to step forward.”

What does it mean to you to serve as a woman in this role?
“As a BLACK American woman, I know all too well about straight up disrespect just for existing and I know in today’s climate, in which some believe it’s alright to be unkind to others whom you believe to be ‘different’, we all have to stand together and take care of each other. My goal, if anything, is to make sure our members know their rights and know they are represented and protected by their Union and a strong Union Contract. And any member, with any issue, knows I’m here to help in any way I can.”

April Glenn

Chief Union Steward — JBS, Louisville, KY

What inspired you to become a union steward?
“Helping people inspired me to become a Union Steward. I once saw a supervisor yelling at a member and taking him to the office. I followed them so I could represent him and let the supervisor know I had seen everything that happened. The situation could have gone a lot differently if I hadn’t been there.”

Can you share a time when advocating for a fellow member made you especially proud to serve in this role?
“I helped a member who couldn’t read or write. I helped her make a doctor’s appointment and made sure she had the right documentation for her doctor and for FMLA. Knowing she was able to get the proper care made me proud. Things like that motivate me and keep me going.”

What does it mean to you to serve as a woman in this role?
“Being a woman Chief Union Steward means a lot to me. In the past there were no women Chief Stewards here. I want to show people that a woman can do anything a man can do. I hope my leadership and dedication bring people together and help make work a better place.”

Women Leading the Way

Women like Mendy, Ami, and April show what union leadership looks like on the ground — standing up for coworkers, solving problems, and making sure every member has someone in their corner.

This Women’s History Month, we’re proud to recognize the women across our union who step forward to lead and help keep our union strong. ✊