Philadelphia native Lillian Walker Shelton was groomed to be involved in social justice causes from childhood, when her mother impressed upon her and her brothers to be active in their community and assist others. rnrnWhile finishing her under graduate degree, Lillian worked full-time at Verizon’s Directory Services and served as a Union Steward for CWA Local 13500. Later, she volunteered with LELO (the North West Labor Employment Law Offices) in Seattle, Washington. Since relocating to the District of Columbia, Lillian has volunteered with many organizations that support labor and women’s rights. As a Shop Steward for OPEIU Local 2 she helped organizer her co-workers to win a good contract at the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. She has also served as the treasurer for the DC Metro CLUW, as a board member for STITCH, as a volunteer with Tamika and Friends, and as an ESL tutor at St. Michael’s Archangel Church. As an Alexis Knox Fellow through the Younger Women’s Task Force Lillian leads empowerment workshops with participants at local job readiness program STRIVE D.C. rnrnAs an organizer with Jobs with Justice, Lillian is excited to continue DC JwJ’s work organizing to address issues that affect poor and working DC residents, promoting immigrant rights, and holding politicians accountable for the promises that they make to DC residents. She will also be coordinating DC JwJ’s education programs, including the Grassroots Leadership Education Project, the English for Day Laborers program, and black/brown dialogues. “I am so excited about working for Jobs with Justice,” Lillian said. “I hope that my talents and skills can be used here to further their goals and also promote the organization. I love this job because I feel like I represent this organization in everything I do. I am so happy that they have given me this opportunity to contribute to the community.†rn
