First off, should we call you Cheryl or Desiree?
CW: Cheryl, like all my coworkers do. But my first name is Desiree. I’m originally from Antigua and Barbuda, where our passports read Middle Name, First Name, Last Name, so ever since I moved to the U.S. 30 years ago, people have thought my middle name was my first name, and vice versa. I guess I’m lucky I like both names.
What brought you to the U.S.?
CW: I came for school, where I played basketball in college, and was ultimately drafted to play in the WNBA by the New York Liberty in 2000.
We’ll definitely come back to basketball, but first, let’s transition to your work now. What do you do?
CW: I’m a Family Service Specialist 2 in the Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P, within the Department of Children and Families). I work in the Essex County North office. I perform home visits and service referrals for children and families at risk, to help them get the support they need to have a safe home environment.
I’ve been with the department for almost 20 years, after working for the Mental Health Association with adults. My degree was in Child and Family Studies. I’ve always wanted to help others through my work.
How long have you been a Shop Steward, and what led you to become one?
CW: I’ve been a Shop Steward for 10 years. I’m someone who likes to understand why processes are the way they are, and how they might be better. I like to ask questions of my coworkers and supervisors in a collaborative way. I noticed early that some coworkers were afraid of asking management certain questions, so when they wouldn’t, I would ask on their behalf.
My peers liked that and suggested I should step up and be a Steward.
How would you describe your approach to being a Shop Steward?
CW: I encourage my peers to read up on our contract, to understand not just wages and time off but working conditions and more, so they can understand what we’re fighting for.
I prioritize explaining to my peers that WE are the Union. There is no “they” who are going to improve our working conditions. We have an amazing Local 1037 Staff Rep, Diane, but the workers are the Union, and if we’re not involved, we don’t win the working conditions and pay we deserve. It’s on all of us.
March is often synonymous with college basketball, so let’s transition back there. Can you tell us about your college and pro career?
CW: Sure. I won the Junior College Division II title my first year at Kirkwood Community College’s basketball team, and was inducted into the school’s hall of fame as a player and with my whole team.
I transferred to Iowa State University, where I played two years, and then was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2000, the first player from Iowa State to do so. I played in the WNBA for a year and in France for a year.
What do you think of the newly agreed WNBA deal (which involves the salary cap raising 500% and minimum and maximum salaries rising proportionately)?
CW: I think it’s a good start. The WNBA is growing fast, and these women deserved a much bigger share of the money they are generating for their franchises. Everyone from professional athletes to state social service workers needs a Union to protect their working conditions.
Absolutely. What do you like to do outside of work?
CW: I like to travel, especially to Antigua, where most all of my siblings and most of my family still live. My children love to travel there and to other parts of the Caribbean. We’ve also been to France and most of Scandinavia. My kids are so used to traveling, they’ve started telling me where we’ll go next on vacation.