This Active Life -- March 2003

Member Profiles

Pre-Retired
Trudy McKendry

Background
I'm a school nurse-teacher at Narragansett Elementary School in Narragansett, Rhode Island. I've been a school nurse for 27 years. During that time, I've been a building rep, secretary, president of our local, and Narragansett's representative to the state Delegate Assembly. I've also served two years as an area vice-president.

Why I Chose to Become Active in NEA
I believe in unionism. My father was a union rep for the Providence firefighters, so I grew up around union issues. I just feel that the union has so much to offer, not just for job protection, but for so many other aspects of your life. The union can help with the financial considerations and insurance, and it also has very positive social benefits. Until people get involved, they don't know what they're missing!

Recently Retired
Marilyn Franklin

Background
I taught for 13 years at Oakes Elementary School in Okemah, Oklahoma. During that time, I was a building rep and president of our local, which is small but growing steadily.

How I'm Spending My Time
I'm working in real estate part-time. For two days a week, I work on a character education program organized by the Boy Scouts in two schools. I'm an avid fan of the Oklahoma Sooners football team, so I travel to a lot of games without now having to worry about school on Monday morning! Also, I'm working with Active and Retired members on issues like improving our health insurance. Unlike state employees, retired teachers do not get fully paid health insurance, so we're working to get that changed.

Active Retired
Helen Holloway

Background
I taught for 32 years, mostly as a social studies teacher, in DeValls Bluff, Arkansas, before retiring in 1994. I've served as president of the DeValls Bluff Education Association, been a member of the Arkansas Education Association-Retired Advisory Board, and now serve on the AEA legislative cadre.

Greatest Recent Thrill
Last summer, the University of Central Arkansas endowed a scholarship in my honor for $100,000 to attract minority students to higher education in central Arkansas. The chairman of the UCA Board of Trustees, Rush Harding, was a former student of mine, and I had earned my master's degree at UCA. The scholarship made me very proud because the money is going to help deserving students go to college in an area where a lot of them need the extra help.