Honoring the Past, Building the Future: A Message from SOAR’s New President
On March 1st, I was proudly sworn in as President of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees (SOAR) – and it was a day I will never forget. That same day, history was made when Roxanne Brown became the first woman ever elected President of the United Steelworkers. Being sworn in alongside her and this historic new Executive Board is an honor I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Throughout my tenure as the National Director of Canada, I was proud to champion the SOAR program alongside our late International President Leo Gerard. Leo was a fierce defender of retirees’ rights and a towering figure in the labor movement — someone who understood that our obligation to Steelworkers does not end when they leave the shop floor.
This role is both a personal milestone and a continuation of my lifelong commitment to the labor movement – and I do not take it lightly. I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of my longtime mentor, the late Lynn Williams, the fifth International President of the United Steelworkers and a decade-long SOAR President whose tireless dedication to retirees set the standard for this office. Every decision I make will be guided by the values he embodied: solidarity, service, and an unwavering commitment to our members.
As President, my focus will be on expanding SOAR’s reach — growing chapters across every district, deepening solidarity with local unions, and ensuring every retired Steelworker feels seen, heard, and supported. Engaging members aged 45 and older, along with like-minded allies, and inspiring them to step up in their chapters and communities will be central to that effort. This organization’s strength has always come from its people, and I am committed to building the connections that keep it alive and growing.
For over four decades, SOAR has served as a vital bridge between active and retired Steelworkers – and I am committed to making that mission stronger than ever. Together, we will fight for the issues that matter most to our members, defend the dignity they have earned through a lifetime of hard work, and build an organization that future generations of Steelworkers will be proud of.
To the leaders of SOAR chapters across our union: I am honored to work alongside you. Together, we will forge the best practices needed to build a stronger, more connected SOAR.
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