By Staff
How did you begin your journey in politics?
I grew up the eldest of 6 children raised by a single working mother on the West Side of Chicago in some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in the city. My mother worked nights (11pm-7pm) for most of school years. My mom was able to move to the day shift when she got a promotion to start working the counter selling stamps at the USPS. My mother’s blue (or pink) collar, union job made all the difference for our family. Her job helped her raised 3 girls and 3 boys in West Garfield Park without her sons getting caught up in the criminal justice system and without the girls being abused by partners or others.
How would you encourage young African Americans to vote?
I think those who have the least have the most to lose if they don’t participate in a “participatory democracy” system. It’s the old saying–“if you’re not at the table-you’re on the menu!” We have to “participate” in democracy in order to make it better. It’s not perfect but if we don’t participate it won’t get better.
What is a delegate?
A “delegate” is a person selected to represent a group of people in some kind of political assembly. I am a delegate to the Democratic National Convention 2024.
You are a delegate during this election cycle. What does it mean to you?
I originally became a delegate to support Joe Biden against a possible 2nd Trump term which would essentially be the end of the “democratic experiment” in the United States. Now that Kamala Harris is the democratic nominee my level of excitement (along with millions of others) is through the roof! We can make history and move this experiment in democracy forward at the same time! I am so excited to make Kamala Harris the first woman of color to become President of the United States!
The path blazed for African American women is highlighted in a special way. What keeps you motivated in the fight for equality?
As an African American woman, I’m very aware of the ways in which pathways for women of color are filled with one obstacle after the other. Then there is the “obstacle” of having people judge you simply because of your skin color. For example the current Republican talking points refer to VPOTUS Harris as a “DEI” hire. We’re turning that phrase around to “Definitely Earned It,” because any woman of color who ascends to the office of the President of the United States will have “definitely earned it!”
What do you feel has been your greatest impact in advocating for people?
I hope I’ve had the impact of helping people learn that its always best that they learn to advocate for themselves! I hope I’ve helped people learn that educating yourself, listening to others, engaging in constructive and productive dialogue and helping to protect “the least of these” is what we are all required to do
What does success look like for you?
It looks like having my health, strength, peace of mind and the ability to enjoy myself, family and friends. It looks like do my best to have a positive impact on “forming a more perfect union” for myself and others,
About
Jocelyn Woodards, is a Senior Field Representative for the National AFL-CIO. She is a labor and community organizer, and veteran of numerous political campaigns. She has worked on the staff of 5 Presidential campaigns—including serving as the Director of Camp Obama with the first (2008) Obama for America campaign.
Her professional background includes working with national organizations such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the Democratic National Committee, Jobs with Justice, NAACP, People for the American Way as well as numerous other progressive organizations She has traveled around the country working on local, state and national elections in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington, D.C; and Wisconsin. And, she has trained organizers from around the country on the basics of community organizing and political campaigns.
As a Senior Field Representative in the Midwest region, Jocelyn has worked closely with local Central Labor Councils and State Federations to execute issue campaigns, political campaigns and successfully trained hundreds of union members, leaders, constituency groups, community partners and allies on how to organize and mobilize on issues important to working people. Prior to her role as Senior Field Representative, Jocelyn worked with the AFL-CIO’s Common Sense Economics program—a program designed to help working people understand the economy and how to take action on behalf of working people.
Jocelyn is a proud member of CWA—TNG, CBTU and CLUW. She currently lives in Chicago, Illinois.
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/jocelyn.woodards
