“They so carelessly stole time from people.”
Maryland state correctional officer, Ofonime Akpabio believes in seeing the humanity in the women she serves. As a union activist, she encourages her co-workers to speak up so they can find solutions together.
“We need to fight for working class people.”
“It’s so gratifying how much better things have gotten.”
“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing people use those services”
“Being in a strike line is different. You have to be a person that someone can rely on.”
“When we come together, we make a bigger impact.”
“My job is to help you and get you what you really want and deserve.”
“So many times they have been trying to do cut downs or they just want to disappear [the program].”
“I know that I have a job I can come back to.”
“Having a union job in which I’m paid well and have the benefits that I deserve, it’s affirming that I have a life with dignity.”
“All I knew was this gentleman needed help, and he needed someone to say it would be okay.”
“If I had still been at a family-owned shop, I would have ben back to work the next day”
“My coworkers and I were elated….we were able to topple the giant.”
“We fought back and won a temperature settlement.”