The History of Female Leadership in the NALC
This podcast’s purpose is to give a history of women who have stepped into leadership roles within the National Association of Letter Carriers, and discuss the leaders of now and into the future.
The History of Female Leadership in the NALC
Miriah McMillan
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This episode features Miriah McMillan, recording secretary for Branch 4016, South Suburban Merged in Frankfort, Illinois.
Welcome to the History of Female Leadership in the NALC podcast. My name is Craig Schaefer. I'm a city carrier in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Today I'm honored to have a sister from Northern Illinois. If you don't mind, go ahead and introduce yourself.
SPEAKER_00Hi. My name is Mirahia McMellan. I'm from Park Forest, Illinois. I'm a member of Branch 4016, South Suburban Merge. Um, I am an NALC member since the beginning of my career. So uh 13 years, a little plus uh 13 years.
SPEAKER_01All right. Well, let's go back 13 years. Actually, let's go a little bit before 13 years. And what brought you to the post office to begin with?
SPEAKER_00Um, so what brought me to the post office was uh, well, let me can I can I kind of give you like a brief history about me?
SPEAKER_01100%.
SPEAKER_00Okay, so I had like a really pretty normal upbringing. My mom was a single parent and she worked really hard to make sure that I never felt like that. I didn't have um every opportunity available to me. She was super duper encouraging all the time. Um immediately after high school, I went to college in 2007 and I worked full-time and went to school full-time as well. And honestly, I wasted a lot of time and a lot of money trying to figure out uh what I wanted to do with my life. Initially, when I went away to school, I went to be an interpreter. Uh, I am bilingual and I speak Spanish pretty fluently. Um, but I walked away from that degree plan. I took some time off and I just worked full-time. And then I went back to school in 2010. And in 2011, I received my associate's degree in biological sciences. Um, in 2012, I was working as an assistant store manager at a restaurant, like a well-known restaurant chain. Um, I had been with the company for eight years at this point, and I was doing all the hiring, I was making the schedules, I was putting the training programs together, and I felt really overworked and undervalued. Um, I was pregnant with my daughter uh at this time. And once I had her, I realized that I wasn't making enough money to support a family. I was 24 years old, but you know, that adult kicked in and was like, this is not gonna work. I was making um $10 an hour and I really had to like fight and argue with my bosses for them to give me that, even for the amount of work that I was doing. Um, and they wanted to cut my hours because I couldn't work overnight. I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that they wanted me to work overnight shifts and have a newborn at home. So um at the time, a coworker told me the post office was hiring. And I didn't think anything of it. I just went, tried, I took the test. My daughter was four months old. Um, and I took a chance and I walked away from what I was doing to make a better life for my family. Um, I got hired as a CCA, making $15 an hour, and I jumped on it. I thought I was making the most money in the world, making $15 an hour.
SPEAKER_01I I remember those days when I hired on a few years before you, I uh started as a casual and I was making, I took a pay cut from Walmart. I was making six dollars and fifty cents an hour uh pushing carts, and I went for the post office as a casual for six dollars an hour. But it was hey, it it but you know it was one of those things where you kind of look at the long term and it's it there's there's possibilities of upper mobility. So I totally get that. So you said that you took the test, you got on, and so um then you're hired on, you're a CCA. Um was there something that may have like pushed you into a or you know, it could be your background is you know, kind of doing all that other stuff, but what caused you to pursue a leadership role in the NALC?
SPEAKER_00Um, well, I left my first office and I got back closer to home. Uh my daughter, like I said, my daughter was really small and I just wanted to be closer to home. Um when I came to the Park Forest office, I still didn't really understand the union's role, but over time I saw how important it was in protecting carriers and making sure that we were treated fairly. Um, I had a few moments early on in my career where I needed guidance, and the union representatives they stepped up and they helped me. Um I always saw strong voices around me, and maybe it's just where I was geographically, but there were a lot of women who were um kind of running the show for the union, especially when I came to Park Forest. Um, and I wanted to make sure that people felt supported in her the same way that I was when I needed the help. Um, leadership wasn't something that I originally planned, but it became something I felt called to do. Uh, we had a really, really great steward in my office. Um she left and became a full-time branch officer. She's actually my branch president now. She wasn't at the time, but she is now. Um, and when she left the office, I really saw a gap start to form, and there was a lack of uh representation. So I decided to step up and be the steward, and that really just started a fire inside of me. And from then on, I've just pursued whatever challenges um interested me that were affiliated with um the NALC.
SPEAKER_01Cool, cool. Okay, well, um from there, what positions have you held in the NALC leading up to you know what your current position is? And so if you don't mind, just give us a rundown of that.
SPEAKER_00Sure. So um I've been the MDA coordinator for my branch as well as the state of Illinois. Um, I was also a REIT on the NELC side for the beloved Tyreek adjustment process. We all love that, right? Um, I was also a facilitator for our regional leadership academy. And um, this isn't really a position, but uh I'm a graduate of the NELC Leadership Academy, class 26, iron sharpened iron. So nice. That's uh what I've done in the past. Um well you want to talk about currently?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, what in your your current position and what are your duties in your current position?
SPEAKER_00Okay, so currently um I am an informal shop steward for four offices in my branch. My own office, um, two little small offices that have like 10 carriers combined. And then um I'm kind of holding down a position um in another larger office. Um the stewards are one's out for surgery, and I'm just kind of holding down that position just to make sure that there's no gap there with the carriers. And then I'm a uh a formal steward um in three of those offices. Um I'm the OWCP representative for my branch. Um, I am the editor of the branch newsletter, and then like my official official title, I am the recording secretary for branch 4016.
SPEAKER_01Wow. So you you have your plate full. That is definitely a lot. Um and as far as your recording secretary duties, it is do is there anything extra that you have to do with that, or is that just kind of like the minutes and things like that at the meetings?
SPEAKER_00And I'm I'm the secretary too. Like we have a financial secretary treasurer, but the secret like the secretary clerical things that happen at the office, um I've taken on a bigger responsibility for that too. Just kind of like whatever they need me to do. Even though there's not enough hours in a day, I find a way to like if they ask me to jump in and do something, I I really do try to support my branch that way.
SPEAKER_01Nice, very nice. All right. Well, um, you know, I I talk to obviously this is this podcast, all I do is talk to ladies, and I always ask this question, you know, because a lot of times, unfortunately, this happens. Have you uh dealt with any kind of in your whether it be postal career or working for the NALC, have you dealt with any like any kind of discrimination? And if so, how did you deal with it? And uh do you feel like the situations were resolved?
SPEAKER_00Um, there have been situations where I felt like I was being treated differently differently. And in those moments, I just kind of relied on the tools that the union provides, you know, documenting things, um, knowledge of the contract and standing firm. I think um if you address things professionally and directly, in many cases, it does lead to resolution. Um, just by nature, I think women are viewed as they should be like passive creatures. I am not. Anybody that you that knows me will say I am not a passive person. I'm not necessarily confrontation confrontational either, but I'm not just gonna let you say and do anything to me either. Um, or to people that I'm protecting or or caring about. And so sometimes, you know, you you take a bullet because you're trying to advocate for somebody else, right? And it's just like, well, lady, just shut up, but I it's not something that I can do. I can't turn a blind eye to anything. Um, we took an oath when we decided to be union officials, and I raised my right hand, and I I can't turn my head for anything. So sometimes you do kind of fall on your sword a little bit because you're there to help somebody else. So you you catch astray, or maybe you even catch a bullet that wasn't meant for you. Um, and I have felt like that because it's a woman. I I am a woman. Perhaps if I had been a guy, they would have listened to me more, or you know, if I had said it quietly and meekly and maybe begged for their approval, they would have received it better. But I don't care about any of that.
SPEAKER_01So no, no, and that that's uh seems to go across the board. Everybody I talk to. It's like uh you you know, for whatever reason, because you're a uh a a lady, you have to kind of double prove yourself, double inform yourself, double everything to just get on that same level. And it's it's super unfortunate. I I and and I learn a lot by doing this podcast because I've never really I guess I've never experienced that being a guy, and so uh it's been very eye-opening for me to see this, and it it it's kind of sickening, honestly. It's gross that that's the way it is. But I I think that every lady that I've spoken to on here I would not want to go up against because I know that you guys have more information in your little finger than I do in my whole body, just so because you've been forced to do it, you know, and yeah, yeah, and and now you you guys are like warriors for the the membership, and it's uh it's it's unfortunate that that's had had to happen, but they yeah, frankly, you know, management in my opinion kind of ruined it for themselves because if they were a little bit more respectful, maybe you wouldn't have gone the extra mile or whatever. And so now it's ready to go, it's go time, you know, anytime.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Um, another question I have for you is um, you know, with all those positions that you listed and all the duties that you do, has that caused you any, you know, you mentioned that you you have a child, and uh has that caused you any issues with, you know, uh family or friends being away so much?
SPEAKER_00Um, yes. Actually, I have two children now. I have my daughter who's 13, she'll be 14, and then I have a son that is nine months old.
SPEAKER_01So wow, congratulations!
SPEAKER_00Thank you. I have essentially started all over. Um, but he's been along for the ride since the womb. So um, but absolutely, uh leadership takes time and energy, and it can sometimes spill over into your personal life. Um, balancing my family and my friends and my union responsibilities definitely um has been and can be very challenging. But I have um a great support system and that makes a huge difference. Uh both of my children are union babies, and I drag them along everywhere I go. Um, that's union affiliated, you know, like within reason. Like when I travel out of state and things like that, I can't take them with me. But locally, if I'm somewhere, my kids are gonna be there. Um, but as an advocate, uh, you wanna be there all the time to protect and support your rank and foul members, but you have to know that you can't give so much of yourself to the cause that there's nothing left for you personally. And I really do struggle with this. Uh the place that I'm at now in my career, in my life, in my union, um, unionship, uh, I'm learning to turn it off more frequently, but it's so hard because it's like there's always some, there's always a dumpster fire someplace. Um, but I just learned to turn it off and try not to feel bad and hopefully uh no one robs the store when there's nobody attending.
SPEAKER_01Well, there's there's gotta, you know, you've gotta have that because if you you're not taking care of your home, you're not gonna be in the right headspace to take care of your your brothers and sisters at work. So, you know, I it is a struggle though. I do understand that because you always, you know, if you see that text come through at 9 30, you're like, why would somebody be texting me this late? It must be an emergency, you know? And then sometimes it is and sometimes it's not. But uh, you know, it it it it it is it's a tough one though. And I understand what you're saying there. Well, um, you know, when you do put your phone down, turn your laptop off, you know, say, okay, this is my time now. What do you like to do to unwind, relax? Do you have hobbies? What do you like to do?
SPEAKER_00Um, I just try to take time for myself. If I'm relaxing at home or I'm just spending time with my children or family, or I just try to disconnect for a while. It's really important, like we talked about, uh, to recharge to so you can show up for others fully. But honestly, even in my free time, I don't know if this is just innately in me. Even when I have free time, I always plug something else into it. I I just I can't not be busy doing something. I'm in school right now. Actually, I'll be graduated with my master's degree in December.
SPEAKER_01Really?
SPEAKER_00Um, organizational leadership.
SPEAKER_01Wow, that is awesome.
SPEAKER_00I felt like that went hand in hand with my union stuff. So I'm like, let me just try this. Um, there's that, and then um, I have a second job too. I um I know you're like, wait, you can't be in all these places at one time. But I'm telling you, if I don't have something to do, I'm gonna go nuts. Um just because I like I my biggest fear is not living up to my potential, right? So I feel like that's kind of like why I may spread myself so thin, because we don't know how much time we have here. I would never want to miss out on an opportunity or an experience just because I want to sit down for a minute. I can sit down when I get to be an old lady. So um again, because I will be sitting down when I get to be an old lady. But I just I just want to provide the best life for me and my children. Um, I have really fond memories of my mom being in the union. Um, she was a ask me, I can't I can never say it, but the ask me union. Yeah, yeah, she was a member of that. And I remember like going on bus rides with her and everything, going to the Capitol, and and I want my children to have those types of fond memories of of me too and my union advocacy. So I think that's just why I don't I don't ever really sit down or have free time.
SPEAKER_01Wow, that is awesome though. I mean, that you have those memories with your mother, and now your your kids are going to experience that same thing. That that's really cool. And I mean, I don't know how you do it. I maybe, maybe it's because I am that old person and I'm like, I need my sit-down time. But uh, no, that's that's amazing. I that's the first time I think that I've talked to anybody that was like, yeah, I don't really unwind and relax. I just go, go, go. You know, that's uh everybody has their thing. I mean, and obviously it's working for you, you know. You you're doing great. I don't know how you're working two jobs and got your master's degree. That I really don't have any idea how you're doing that.
SPEAKER_00That is I have a really, really, really good support system. A really good support system. Really good support system.
SPEAKER_01That that's that's very helpful. I I've noticed that a lot of you know, I think that especially ladies with uh kids, the ones that I've had on here, you know, that's the key to everything is having that support system that helps you guys out. Because I mean I I have two daughters, they're they're grown uh somewhat. Um, but you know they always have relied on their mother. You know, I'm here and I'll do anything for them, but it's there's that mother thing, and so you know, it just it's always going to I think that on on you guys it's a lot harder. I mean, and I'm I may be speaking out of turn, but I just I feel like ladies in a position like you're doing, it's gonna be harder on you than if it was me in that position because you know it mothers, they're your mom's your mom, you know. The end of the day, your mom's your mom. So yeah, that's that's uh impressive. I don't know how you're pulling that off, but you obviously are. Um well if uh you know there's someone listening to this that's kind of like on the fence, like, you know what, I'm thinking about maybe wanting to pursue uh some sort of leadership role in the NALC. Get involved. Uh what would be a piece of advice you'd give for somebody that is just starting out?
SPEAKER_00Um, I would say uh do not be afraid to step up. Um, you know, our voices matter. And even if you feel like you're still learning, it's okay to ask questions. Even if you go to training and things like that, you're still not gonna know the answer to everything. Um, but it's important that you stay informed and that you trust yourself. Um, and you have to build the confidence, and that happens with experience. Um, I would also suggest that they take uh part in personal or professional development programs outside the NALC. Um, I did a program based out of U of I, the Regina Polk School. I don't know if you've ever heard of that. Um, that's a women's uh labor leadership program. Um, and I also did the Women in Power, which is kind of like part two of that. Um, and you get to experience a lot of different women in labor unions, right? So um the NALC is unique in a lot of ways, but once you start to understand just labor as a whole, um, across many different unions and professions, um, you'll develop a greater love for it, right? Because of course you're in the in the NALC, but it just gives you a better perspective on what you do as an advocate, what you do to protect people, um, where the unions came from, why it's so important what we do, because the rights that we have were not always afforded to us. Um there's been a lot of progress, though. I will definitely let people know that, like I said before. Um, and we talked about seeing more women stepping into leadership roles and being recognized for those contributions. And of course, there's still work to be done, but I just encourage uh growth in everybody. And don't step into a union leadership position just because you want a title or you want your name on something, because then you don't put the passion into it. You're just there because you think you're gonna get a pay raise or you wanna be known. But if you don't put the work and the passion behind um whatever opportunity opportunity that you're given, it's it's not gonna matter. Um I really hope to see more women in uh representation roles and higher leadership. And um, I'd like to see a culture where leadership is truly inclusive and where the next generation feels empired. Empowered to step forward without hesitation. Our leadership should represent our people, right? It should be completely inclusive. Um, women, men, handicapped people, um, LGBTQ people, you know, it should be a representative sample of who we actually represent. If it's just a bunch of old guys in white wigs sitting up at the top, well, then how do they know my experience as an African-American woman in a suburb of Chicago carrying a mail and dilemma management? They'll never have that experience. So I just think a representative sample is good. And a young lady starting her career in NALC should shoot for the moon and land amongst the stars.
SPEAKER_01I don't even know what to say after that. That was spot on. That was amazing. Thank you for that. Um, I have no more questions, and I don't even know if there's anything that could be added to what you just said. I mean, you were like everything you were said, I'm just sitting here shaking my head, agreeing, because everything you were saying was just perfect. Uh, but is there anything that I forgot, anything that you would like to add? The floor is yours.
SPEAKER_00Um, no, I think I said a lot already. Um, I just want to thank you for this opportunity. Um, I think it's really great that the podcast that you are doing is focusing on this specific thing. And it's not like, you know, running into the muddy stuff. It's the history of women in the NALC. I I appreciate it. I look forward to listening to other women's stories and, you know, passing the information along to anybody else who may be interested. So I wish you the best of luck in what you do, and um, I look forward to talking with you again in the future.
SPEAKER_01Well, thank you so much. And and uh my gosh, I don't even know how you fit me into your schedule, but I really appreciate you uh taking a little time with me tonight. Um this uh I I I was wondering, I was like, it's weird that she's wanting to do her, you know, interview so late for an old guy like me anyway. 8 30 is probably not that late to most people, but for me it is. Uh, but I'm like, you know what? There's probably a reason. Well, obviously there's a reason. So uh no, I I just really appreciate you jumping on here with me. Um, I you got me pumped now. That was you you have a way with words that just is killer. So keep that up. That's awesome. I I really enjoy it, and I I now I'm wanting to hear more, so I can't wait to hear you speaking someplace. Um, but anyway, like I said, thank you so much for joining me and thank everybody else out there that uh is listening. Be safe and be kind of.