Note: This is part of my (supposedly) Weekly AQ Wisdom special series. To see other posts in the series, click on the Best Bets tab at the top of any page here and scroll down to the “AQ McElrath” section. Material for this post was taken from information available at her Celebration of Life in February. “
“I first met AQ in 1946 when we had our first sugar strike. I also heard that she was instrumental in helping to organize the sugar workers. She was around during the 1946 sugar strike ot assit the members in any way she could, especially the hardship cases. She was very talented and knew what she was talking about – whether it be medical, dental, workman’s comp, industrial accidents, TDI, etc.
“She was the membership service director for the ILWU, and as I participated in different capacities in the union – as the shop steward, unit chair, member of the sugar negotiating committee – she was always around assisting the group on different matters.
“She was the guest speaker at the ILWU state pensioners’ association 24th Biennial Convention, held June 2008 in Hilo, Hawaii. She was 92 years old, spoke for about 30 minutes – nonstop, no notes – she was just fantastic. When AQ spoke, everyone listened.
“I often wondered why she worked for the ILWU when she had such talent. She could have had a job that paid much, much more. The answer is very simple. She was a dedicated person who had so much loyalty to the ILWU and its members, and helped the members the best way she could all her life, even after she retired.”
“Thank you AQ.”
-John Arisumi, Retired ILWU Maui Division Director
Mahalo!
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