COMMUNITY - Kate Conroy

Recognition

(highlights)

As a result of my UCATS work, I was urged to apply to Labor Leadership training through NYSUT’s Leadership Institute. I won a spot in the cohort that graduated last month. With my team, OCHO, I gained understanding of who I am as a leader. With that clarity and support, I’m eager to represent UCATS as a Labor Leader and mentor in the New York State education sector.

In 2023, I was honored to read an original essay for Generation Women a multi-generational New York Stories program. Representing working-class women in their 50s. My work was met with much love, appreciation, and even applause.

In 2020, I was honored as an interviewee for The New Press’, “Lived Experience: Reflections on LGBTQ Life,”

In 2016, I was honored by the NYU LGBTQ Center with NYU Dedication to Education Award. I had become involved with the center when I found that even though NYU is in the heart of the village, LGBTQIA+ students experience discrimination and marginalization. Marginalized students need safe and welcoming space to be/become themselves without oppressive opinions that hold them back. LGBTQIA+ students also need programs that contextualize their experiences in history. I was honored for my work creating herstory programs and other social and cultural events.

It’s important to me to be authentic and honest about who I am. I find it enriching to celebrate both my personal and cultural pride.

Volunteerism

Since 2012, I’ve been a UCATS 3882 Gallatin Shop Steward of the executive council. I serve union siblings with practical strategies and information to address day-to-day gripes. If a grievance is afoot I help them navigate the process and bring in our organizers for more support.

I have served my union siblings at the bargaining table in labor negotiations with NYU. This past year, I lead us in getting a record-level 5.5% wage increase in the first year of the contract. I look forward to returning to the table as UCATS President to improve that increase even more.

I have served on NYSUT’s Health and Safety committee since 2016. With health and safety as the bedrock of labor organizing, nothing feels more purposeful to me than supporting workers with safe working conditions. NYU’s Brown building is the site of the 1911 Shirtwaist Factory fire. We solemnly memorialize annually.