Chicago SEIU Local 20 Steward Receives Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship

Thirty years ago, Belinda Gunn began taking classes to earn her college degree. Unfortunately, life got in the way and Gunn was forced to drop out of the University of Illinois. Now, because of the support of her son Kenneth, her union and a Union Plus scholarship, Gunn is back on track with her education.

Gunn joined SEIU more than five years ago and became increasingly active in her local—the more excited she got about her union, the more eager she was to learn how unions work.

“I starting going online and asking questions,” she says. Gunn learned about the National Labor College (NLC) through the SEIU website and soon knew what she really wanted to do.

“I realized that I wanted to get my degree in Labor Studies so that I can better contribute to the labor movement by educating others and helping to organize,” Gunn says. Gunn works in billings and collections at a non-profit social services agency.

But the issue of finances loomed large.

“I didn’t know how I was going to pay tuition. “I still am paying off my student loans from long ago and helping Kenneth with his college tuition,” she says.

Now, thanks to a $1,990 Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship, the SEIU Local 20 steward is moving closer to realizing her dream.

“Getting that scholarship was such a blessing,” she says, and Gunn is making the most of it.

While continuing to work full time, Gunn took four online courses with the help of her scholarship: Introduction to Labor Studies; Labor Law; Comparative Research; and Grassroots Leadership.

“As soon as I get home from work, I’m at the computer and I stay there all evening,” she says.

There’s little time for anything else, but help has come from an unexpected source.

“I was really surprised, but Kenneth has started helping out around the house much more than ever before,” she beams. “Now he tells me that he’s proud of me quite often. And I feel really good about myself, too.”

The Union Plus National Labor College Scholarship Program has provided more than $190,000 in scholarships to some 150 recipients since it was created in 2002. The NLC is the nation’s only accredited college exclusively dedicated to the education of union members, leaders and staff.  It offers a unique program that is tailor-made for full-time working men and women. Visit NLC.edu for information about the NLC’s degree programs and courses.

Visit UnionPlus.org to see all of the money-saving Union Plus benefits that are available to you and your family including scholarship programs, hardship help and every day savings.

# # #

Photo caption:
SEIU Local 20 Steward Belinda Gunn, shown with son Kennth Olugbode, received Union Plus Scholarship to attend the National Labor College.