SEIU Local 1 Mourns the Loss of Longtime Leader and Executive Board Member Paula Henriquez

We are heartbroken at the passing of Paula Henriquez – a longtime Local 1 leader and Executive Board member.

A Union Steward and Leader, Paula’s dedication and love for the union shined throughout her 20 years with the union.  She was widely loved and respected, and known for getting members engaged, involved, and participating - whether with their contract campaigns, rallies, phonebanking, or COPE contributions - she did it all. She was truly interested in members’ experiences, stopping by their workplaces at every possible opportunity –she even used her abilities to organize working people outside of Illinois.

Oscar Sandoval recalls how many members she was able to get out to the airport campaign a few years back: “She was my right hand in mobilizing members. It was unbelievable. She made my work very easy. When she would call members for an action, they were there. I was always asking myself how Paula has time for her family, work, union activities, church and community”

President Genie Kastrup reminisces about Paula: “She viewed the union as her second family. She told me a long time ago that her job as a leader was to develop her replacement.  In the last Chicago Public Schools contract campaign, one of the leaders that was active came up to me and said ‘I was trained to be a leader by Paula’. I went to the hospital about a month or so ago to visit her - she said ‘I love my union and I’m sorry that I can’t be out right now helping our members.’”