A New Millenium

Looking Back, Forging Ahead

by Ruth Pillman Windham
International President GIA-BLE

Ruth Pillman Windham, International President GIA-BLE

As the 21st century and a new millennium draw closer, it is important that we stop and assess the progress we have made in preparing for this historic event. Since a new millennium comes every 1,000 years and a new century every 100 years, I feel like it is very appropriate to use the term historical event.

What do you think our founding sisters would have to say today about the auxiliary that they founded in Parlor "O" of the Palmer House in Chicago on October 21, 1887? Do you suppose Sisters Murdock, Cassell and Turner, who served as presidents for the first 59 years, would be surprised that we are still going? Well, I believe that these sisters were ahead of the times in thinking and planning just how important an auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers could be. I congratulate these sisters for their wisdom and courage.

While many changes have been made in the format and manner in which we conduct our auxiliary meetings today, I am a firm believer that these sisters would say, "Change what you have to in order to serve the BLE families and keep up with the current times."

We have made these changes and added new programs, but we have done so while leaving our purpose (established in 1887) intact: "To serve the interest and welfare of the Grand International Auxiliary and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers' members and their families throughout the United States and Canada."

To strengthen our foundation, we have introduced timely, new programs that are essential to provide a bright future for the Grand International Auxiliary. These programs are timely, and, I believe, very important this period in our history.

We invite BLE family involvement to help improve work conditions. We also offer scholarships each year, thus seeing that our youth have the opportunity to live out their dreams. We are actively involved in legislation that may affect us on the national, state and local levels; spousal benefits are at the top of this list. Our mobilization team affords us with the opportunity to reach our BLE families in a matter of hours, vitally important given the UTU's threats to our beloved BLE. Our oldest program, Care and Assistance Program (CAP), which was formerly known as Aged Dependent Sisters and Relief Fund and was established in 1921, now has eight recipients on roll. They receive a check each month plus a special remembrance at Christmas.

The gender gap, I am proud to say, has closed somewhat in the last five years. We appreciate being included in some of the BLE seminars, such as the State Legislative Board seminars at the George Meany Center. Invitations are extended to our mobilization team members and the International President for certain forums advising us which steps to take in emergencies.

Education is an important aspect to our future. Our young members expect it and rightfully so. We want all of our members and BLE families to be well informed through our mobilization team, local auxiliaries, legislative program, webpage and members-at-large.

To use an old railroad term, "we are on track," but we need all BLE families to reach our potential. So "hop on board" and be a partner in our success as we enter the new millennium and the 21st century.

Together we can make a difference.

Onita Wayland

My congratulations to International First Vice-President Onita Wayland on her wonderful work as our International Organizer. Onita has organized nine new auxiliaries and reinstated one auxiliary (Houston Auxiliary 251) for a total of 10.

Thanks and congratulations are also due to Denise Ray of Gray, Tenn., and Carolyn Perkins of Louisville, Ky., for their dedicated work in getting prospective members to sign the petitions. We welcome these two new auxiliaries to our network and wish them much success.

In addition to the above 12, International Vice-President Jewell Graben organized one in Alabama and International Second Vice-President & U.S. National Legislative Representative Mabel Grotzinger organized one in Ohio. This is a total of 14 new auxiliaries.

At this time, we also have petitions out to organize auxiliaries in Pine Bluff, Ark.; Redland, Calif.; Sweetwater, Texas; Detroit Lakes, Minn.; and Yazoo, Miss.

© 1999 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers