Committee
Jean
Davis
I
have known and worked with Shari McAsey for many years,
and we became very close friends. When she asked me to
become a committee member for the Workers Memorial Fund,
I felt very honored. After learning of the hardships of
family members dealing with a death of a spouse and the
financial help this funding brings, I didn't have to be
asked twice. It is with much joy and love that I can serve
on this board that gives financial support to families
when they need it the most. I am retired after 26 years
at the Ukiah Post Office, and serve as board member and
Vice President of the Ukiah Civic Light Opera
Toni
Martin
I
became a board member of the Workers Memorial Fund, after
meeting Shari McAsey, and hearing her story of the loss
of her husband. I felt honored to be part of such a wonderful
organization. I have always had a passion for helping
others, and wanted to help Shari fulfill her dream. I
am a founder of Nuestra Casa, a family center, served
2 yrs as president, and have been a board member for 15
yrs. I also have worked for the Ukiah Unified School District
for the past 30 years.
Shari
McAsey
My
name is Shari McAsey. The Workers’ Memorial Committee
is the first I have ever served on. I have learned, very
quickly, that to serve on a committee such as this you
must feel a deep passion for the cause in which you are
working for. Mine comes from the loss of my husband Bob
who was killed at work in 1999. I realize now that to
truly understand what people face in the sudden loss of
a working spouse you must live it yourself. I was so ignorant
of how profoundly paralyzed one becomes, both emotionally
and physically when word hits you that there has been
a horrible accident and how you remain in this state for
many, many months to come. As in any painful challenge
life brings, what you learn is immeasurable.
My
eyes were left wide open and I wanted to ease some stress
for others who receive a phone call such as I had by starting
up a fund that would reach out to help in some small way.
For all the sadness and the pain….there is nothing
one can do to help. But by sending a check to help replace
the paycheck that will not be coming in any longer might.
To
honor my husband Bob and all workers’ killed on the
job this fund was formed.
Terry
Poplawski
I
have been the president of my union local for over a decade
as well as a delegate to the North Bay Central Labor Council.
For years I had seen the ad on back of my national union
magazine for Workers Memorial Day, urging union members
to observe April 28, the anniversary of the signing of
the law creating OSHA, to aid the attempt of the AFL-CIO
to have a national holiday created to honor workers who
have been killed, injured or permanently disabled on the
job. After Bob McAsey, my coworker Shari's husband, was
killed on the job, the next time I saw that ad, it finally
clicked for me that this was an effort to become involved
with. With the help of other union activist, I have been
able to begin a tradition of holding a yearly observance
of Workers Memorial Day in Ukiah.
Carrie
Brigham -
