Labor Paper editor named a Grand Marshall of Labor Day parade

Labor Day Parade Grand Marshall Sharon Williams has been editor of the Labor Paper for 28 years – her age when she took the helm of the newspaper: the youngest editor in the 126-year-old publication.

 “I absolutely love what I do,” Williams says. “I feel like what I am doing is making a difference in many people’s lives. I am giving union members information that they don’t get in the mainstream media – bread and butter issues, issues that are important to the health and welfare of working people. I believe that unions are the great equalizer. We are the middle class, and we need to protect union membership

“I honestly believe that I am doing what I was meant to be doing, and I love working with people who have the same beliefs that I do,” she continues. “It is a great work environment and I love coming to work every day.”

The 57-year-old member of the Communications Workers of America is a first-generation union member. A life-long Peoria-area resident, she grew up one of four kids, attending Woodruff High School, Illinois Central College, and Illinois State University. She has two grown children.

For a few years after college, Williams worked in the office of the West-Central Illinois Building and Construction Trades Council.

 “It was a great experience working for [director] Don Johnson,” she says. “He really exposed me to how unions can change your life. He also was a great role model and really established my work ethic.

“I don’t feel like I would fit into corporate culture,” she continues. “I have been blessed with bosses who mentored me [and] allowed me to help in more ways than just publishing the paper. I’ve worked not only with Don, but Jim Flynn, Gene Moore, Don Noe, Dan Silverthorn and Clint Drury.”

During her tenure at the newspaper, she doubled its readership, expanded into Galesburg and the Bloomington-Normal area, hired Twin Cities writer Mike Matejka, and increased its social-media presence.

Founded in 1896, “the paper has had many name changes and several owners,” Williams says, “but we have remained constant in covering working -class issues.”

Co-founder of the Union Construction Industry Career Expo, Williams also has been active outside of labor in various community groups and projects, from Friendship House and Wildlife Prairie Park to Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Children’s Hospital. As an Hour Chair for Children’s Hospital broadcast telethons, she was key to organized labor contributing some $400,000 over the years.

“Big Brothers/Big Sisters was my first real transformative relationship with a non-profit,” she says.  “I was seated on a completely new board – the organization was struggling and needed fresh ideas. The new board was transformative, and the organization thrives today because of the decisions that board made years ago.”

Williams also serves as the Peoria County Board member representing District 1 (“one of the best experiences of my life,” she says). The Democrat’s labor background, helps, she says.

“That’s helped me serve the citizens of Peoria County with more thought and experience,” adds. “It gives me a good perspective when it comes to making decisions. Organized labor is heavily involved in the community, and my established relationships help me to make better and more informed decisions as it relates to County Board business.

“The most rewarding is when someone calls with a problem, and I am able to help them navigate through county government, she continues. “When I can help someone with an issue that is important to them, then I am serving well.”

As chair of the County Health Committee, Williams saw first-hand the challenges public-health professionals faced during the pandemic, and also the ongoing needs of the City/County Health Department.

“Peoria has an incredible health department administrator, Monica Hendrickson,” she says. “She kept us informed and really took the lead in the region on COVID response and is deserving of our respect during this difficult time.

“We are now working on a new health and human services campus, which will house the Health Department, the Regional Office of Education, the Sustainability Department and the Coroner’s Office,” she continues. “This campus will be transformative for our community and our employees.”

Looking ahead, Williams is optimistic.

“I see a bright future for organized labor,” she says. “Unions are needed more than ever. People want to be respected at work and they want safer workplaces. They want to be compensated so they don’t have to work three jobs just to survive. They want corporations to value their contribution and organized labor is the way to attain those goals. I am a proud, 28-year member of organized labor. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with my life.”