Worcester Business Journal

10 Worcester Business Journal | May 1, 2023 | wbjournal.com P O W E R 5 0 A D V O C A C Y JOSHUA CROKE FOUNDER, ACTION! BY DESIGN, IN WORCESTER PRESIDENT & CO-FOUNDER, LOVE YOUR LABELS TRANSFORMATIVE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FELLOW AT MASSDEVELOPMENT, IN SPRINGFIELD Residence: Worcester College: Worcester Polytechnic Institute Croke is the influential voice for the LGBTQ+ community across the Central Massachusetts region. As president of Love Your Labels, they lead the Queer Coalition of Greater Worcester and run programming across the area, including Drag Queen Story Time. Love Your Labels hosts the Queer AF: Art+Fashion Show Fundraiser, which showcases diversity in the community and advocates for self expression. Their programming is all the more important this year, as it is active opposition to anti-trans sentiment and legislation across the country, including in late April when North Brookfield refused to allow a drag show at a Pride parade. Beyond their work for the queer community, Croke leads Action! by Design, which convenes a statewide working group for the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative that seeks to disrupt and eliminate the school-to-prison pipeline under the Massachusetts Department of Youth Services. The group is made up of community-based organizations, state departments, and advocates across sectors. The organization held its second Cultivating a School-to-Possibility Pipeline in March, attended by more than 200 educators, youth workers, parents and families, and state employees. Croke is on the board of Worcester nonprofit Living in Freedom Together, supporting people impacted by the sex trade. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "Actively seek to distribute it to the collective; to the people you serve, to people who have been disallowed access to certain forms of power. Take a stand. Businesses need to take a stand against injustice, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and all the -isms that prevent us from living truly liberated lives." n Surprising inspiration: Croke credits sci-fi and "Star Trek" as inspiring their way of thinking and value of knowledge. JULIE BOWDITCH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CASA PROJECT WORCESTER COUNTY, IN WORCESTER SHANNON GEORGE SECRETARY TREASURER/PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER TEAMSTERS UNION LOCAL 170, IN WORCESTER Residence: Worcester College: Worcester State University If Worcester has one person who serves as the face of everything positive about the city's business community, it's probably Bowditch. She volunteers regularly, supports local causes, uplifts other young women professionals, and is a regular fixture at high-profile events, such as the Safe Homes Gala and People of Courage Awards in April. Bowditch served on the Worcester Tercentennial Celebration Committee as the parade co-chair, has served as president of Women in Development of Central Massachusetts, and received two keys to the City of Worcester. She is a founding board member for the Central Mass Conference for Women. In her day job, Bowditch took on the top role at CASA Project Worcester County just over a year ago, leading the oldest nonprofit advocating for abused, neglected, and vulnerable children in Massachusetts, part of the National Court Appointed Special Advocates Association. CASAs help children navigate the juvenile court systems and those in foster care receive better outcomes. With only 10 employees, CASA Project Worcester County still serves more than 60 communities. The organization coordinates a group of 200+ screened volunteers and serves hundreds of children each year. Under Bowditch's leadership, the $1.2-million organization has implemented new mission, vision, and diversity, equity, and inclusion statements; received grants from Bank of America and UMass Memorial Health; and hosted two large-scale fundraisers. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "Any measure of power and privilege should be used to lift others up. Whatever position we are in, we should strive to amplify the voices and work of those who stand to benefit from our platform, and to give two hands up to anyone who needs them." n Smile city: Bowditch has a Harvey Ball smile tattoo from local artist Eamon Gillen. Residence: Auburn In October, the graduate students at Clark University in Worcester went on strike, demanding better pay due to the increasing costs of living in Worcester. To help their cause, the students formed a union and joined the Teamsters Union Local 170, which is part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. When the strike began, the Teamsters used their resources to help. They brought in trucks and a voice. And there was Shannon George pounding the pavement with the students, navigating the noise to get the message out there: The union wanted fair wages, and the strike would continue until negotiations were finished. Unions have begun to flex their muscle again across the country, and no more so than in Worcester where Starbucks workers have unionized and nurses at Saint Vincent Hospital won an historic 10-month strike. Then there were the Clark graduate students and roughly 180 technicians at Saint Vincent announced they would go on strike in December if contract negotiations didn't progress. And there were George and the Teamsters again, leading the way. With nearly 4,300 members and $4 million in assets, the Teamsters is the fifth largest labor union in Central Massachusetts, but right now it's one of the most active and making the most noise. Whenever a union begins its negotiations, George will be there. n How should professionals best use the power they wield? "I believe business professionals of all shapes and sizes should best use the power they wield by helping others." n Smile city: At the Local 170, George's assignments include the companies Dauphinais Concrete in Douglas and Bellingham, Rand-Whitney in Worcester, Rosenfeld Concrete in Hopedale and Walpole, and Saint Vincent Hospital's techs and therapists in Worcester. PHOTO | EDD COTE

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