Joynell Henderson enjoys life’s simple pleasures – spending time with her family and rooting for her favorite football team, the New Orleans Saints. The New Orleans woman has been married for more than 30 years and has three adult children and 11 grandchildren.
Things aren’t complicated to Mrs. Henderson, and doing the right thing is simple, which is why Mrs. Henderson is a leader in her union, SEIU Local 21 LA. It makes sense.
Mrs. Henderson is a cook at Dillard University as well as a 21 LA shop steward.
“I wanted to be a part of something that was growing to help other people and the community,” said Mrs. Henderson, who has been a union member for three years. “I sign up my co-workers. I fight for whatever they need. Some of them are scared to talk for themselves and that’s where I come in. I go beyond the call of duty to make sure they get what they need.”
Mrs. Henderson’s service doesn’t end with her coworkers at Dillard University. She helps wherever she is needed. In the past, she has worked to help Tulane University food service workers
“We have to get everyone on board. Not just the school system. We need city hall workers to fight to make it better. We need all workers to stand up and fight for each other,” Mrs. Henderson said. “If we pull everyone together and get a union for everyone, everyone would be better off.”
