On September 15, IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes was presented with the inaugural 2022 Pioneering Woman of Labor Award by Emerge, a leading organization that trains and mentors aspiring women leaders to get involved in politics and run for office. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer Elissa McBride also received the award.

The award recognized the critical role the recipients have played in the labor movement and  their passion and commitment to protecting and advancing working rights. 

“[We] recognize what unions bring to our labor force and communities.” said A’shanti Gholar, Emerge President. “I have the privilege of honoring these amazing women.”

Cervantes has served as IAM General Secretary-Treasurer since 2015 and became the first woman and first Latina to hold the position in the history of the IAM. Cervantes has used her position as a woman union leader to improve the lives of IAM members and empower Latinos in the union and beyond.

“We have to stand up and fight. We need people that look like us… Yes, I am a pioneer, a trailblazer, a first, but I certainly won’t be the last. If I can serve as an inspiration or mentor to other Women, Girls and Sisters, then I have served a greater purpose.” Cervantes told the audience.

“The women in our movement are standing strong,” said Shuler. “Let’s keep tapping into that network of strong women, helping each other, helping them run, helping win and helping them lead.”

In addition to honoring these trailblazers, the event also served as an opportunity to highlight the reasons why women empowerment in politics is necessary.

“It’s important to think globally and run locally,” said McBride. “Run, whether it’s for union office or for public office.”

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IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes has appointed Chiqui Guevara to serve as a Grand Lodge Auditor. Guevara will service and assist District and Local Lodges in the Eastern and Western Territories. 

“We welcome Chiqui to the Grand Lodge Auditing Team and look forward to the contributions she will continue to make to our membership,” said Cervantes. “With her talent and eagerness to serve our members, Guevara will add a fresh perspective and renewed points of view to the General Secretary-Treasurer’s Department.”

“The IAM has taken a stance to diversify and to acknowledge those who have the skills and talent to service our membership,” said Paul Kendall, Assistant to the General Secretary-Treasurer. “Sister Guevara will be a great addition to the team, she is the future of the IAM.”

Guevara began her career with the IAM in 2008 when she was hired on as an Aircraft Mechanic III (Armament) for M1 Support Services at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. 

She helped charter her Local SC711 and went on to become the Secretary-Treasurer for the lodge and serve as the shop steward for the Armament Backshop. Guevara chairs the Local’s Women’s and Human Rights Committee, Negotiations Committee, and By-Laws Committee. She assists with organizing efforts to recruit new members and participates in fundraising events for Guide Dogs of America/Tender Loving Canines.

Guevara is a U.S. Air Force veteran, and is highly trained and performs off-aircraft maintenance on weapons delivery and gun systems, including the F-15 C/D/E, F-16, A-10, and F-22s. She possesses a government security clearance, holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and is currently working on a master’s degree in psychology and other certifications.

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IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes recently received the United Latinos of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Champion of Justice Award at its Education Conference in Las Vegas.

The award recognizes leadership that strengthens and supports Latino workers and the Latino community at large. Each recipient must demonstrate work that improves the lives of the Latino community within the North American labor movement and promotes diversity and inclusion at all levels.

“This is a union we have a super great relationship with and Dora is an amazing leader,” said Rigoberto Valdez Jr., President of United Latinos of the UFCW.

UFCW Local 540 President Felipe Mendez of Dallas presented the award.

“Dora Cervantes is a trailblazer in every regard,” said Mendez. “An outstanding trade unionist and a person of substance and respect.”

Cervantes has served as General Secretary-Treasurer since 2015, the first woman to hold the position. She initiated into IAM Local 2198 in Houston in 1989 as a Southwest Airlines Reservations Agent and later went on to serve as Organizer, Shop Steward, Recording Secretary and Vice President.

“I’m a proud Latina. I’m proud to speak Spanish. And I’m even more proud of my brown skin which allows people to seek me out when they need help understanding English or Spanish in everyday situations,” Cervantes told the audience. “My union, the IAM, added to my confidence and added to my strength to be the advocate and the voice for those who cannot be heard. I am honored and humbled to receive this award and I am forever grateful to the United Food and Commercial Workers.”

The United Latinos of the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) is an organization of union members and allies who have joined together to promote issues and pursue interests important to Latinx workers.

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Mariaelena Fuentes, formerly a District W2021 organizer, has been appointed to serve as a Grand Lodge Auditor. Fuentes will serve District and Local Lodges in Auditing Zone 4, which covers Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A member of IAM Local 2917 since 2007, Fuentes has served as a Local Shop Steward, Chief Steward, Negotiating Committee member, and Secretary-Treasurer. Fuentes has served on a number of local committees, including Chairperson of Bylaws and the Organizing Committee.

In 2019, Fuentes became a Southern Territory Associate Organizer before becoming an Organizer for District W2021 in 2020. In 2021, she was appointed as an Organizer for District 112. She also served as the Secretary-Treasurer for the Georgia State Council of Machinists.

“Sister Fuentes brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a strong work ethic to her new role as a Grand Lodge Auditor,” said IAM General Secretary-Treasurer Dora Cervantes. “I welcome her to our team of Grand Lodge Auditors and know Mariaelena will be a tremendous help to our Local and District Lodges throughout her assigned zone.”

The appointment is effective September 1, 2021.

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