An advocate for local migrant workers is this year's Charlie E. Brooks Labour Community Service Award.
Elizabeth Ha wears a lot of hats in the labour movement. She is the 1st Vice President of OPSEU Local 154, the chair of the OPSEU provincial human rights committee, and vice-chair of the OPSEU Coalition of Racialized Workers. She is also the Ontario Federal of Labour Equity vice-president and an executive on the Windsor and District Labour Council.
"Elizabeth Ha stands up for people without a voice and has been supporting racialized workers from across the province for years," said United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County CEO Lorraine Goddard. "Ha's activism, especially her compassion and conviction for supporting local migrant workers, is leaving a mark on the Windsor-Essex County advancement of social justice."
Ha is a mother of two daughters and teachers her children that serving the community is necessary. As a member of the Justicia for Migrant Workers, she collects and delivers food, clothing, and personal care items for migrant workers. She also organizes community dinners, workshops, and demonstrations.
This year's virtual event is at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24. The keynote speaker this year is Chris Ramsaroop, co-founder and organizer of Justicia for Migrant Workers.
The Charlie E. Brooks Community Labour Community Service Award was co-created by United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County and the Windsor and District Labour Council in honour of the former head of CAW Local 444. Brooks served as president of the union local from 1956 until his assassination in 1977.