Lillian Roberts facts for kids

Lillian Davis Roberts (born January 2, 1928) is a very important leader who helped workers in New York City. From 2002 to 2014, she was the main leader of District Council 37 (DC37). This group is the biggest union for city workers in New York. A union is like a team that helps workers get fair pay, good working conditions, and benefits.

Early Life and Union Work

Lillian Roberts started her career helping people. She worked as a nurse's aide, which is someone who helps nurses care for patients. Later, she became a secretary for a local union group at the University of Chicago Hospital.

In 1959, a union leader named Victor Gotbaum asked her to join his team at the AFSCME union in Chicago. This was the start of a long partnership between Lillian Roberts and Victor Gotbaum. They worked together for many years to help workers.

When Victor Gotbaum became the head of DC37 in New York, Lillian Roberts moved with him. She became a director, helping to organize hospital workers. She later became an Associate Director, in charge of how the union was set up.

In 1969, Lillian Roberts showed her strong leadership. She led a protest to help workers at three mental hospitals. She believed in standing up for what was right, even when it was difficult.

Important Roles and Return to DC37

In 1981, Lillian Roberts left the union for a while. She was chosen to be the New York State Industrial Commissioner. This was a very important job, and she was the first African American woman to hold such a high position in New York State government. In this role, she helped oversee labor laws and worker safety.

From 1987 to 1992, she worked as a senior leader at Total Health Systems, which was a type of health insurance company called an HMO.

Lillian Roberts returned to lead DC37 in 2002. Many people saw her return as a way to bring back the strong, traditional values of the union. She retired at the end of 2014. Her associate, Henry Garrido, took over her role.

Lillian Roberts is remembered as a powerful and dedicated leader who spent her life fighting for the rights and well-being of workers.