The MFL presented Sister Barb Jones with the 2024 Judy Cook Woman of Achievement Award at its Convention this past May.
The award was established in memory of Sister Judy Cook, who was the Executive Director of the MFL Occupational Health Centre from 1985 until her passing in 1998. Judy’s life was marked by an extraordinary commitment to feminism, the labour movement, health and safety, and the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality for all. The award honours her memory by recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions by women trade unionists.
No one is more deserving of this award than our Sister Barb Jones. Barb started her career working for the Manitoba Telephone System as a clerical worker for 29 years, while raising three children as a single mom. While at MTS, Barb found her voice and empowerment through union activism with Communications, Energy and Paper workers Union (CEP). She served her union as a shop steward and Local secretary and produced the Local’s newsletter for many years. Always seized by the challenges facing women workers, Barb was an engaged member and later Chair of her Local’s women’s committee, working on issues such as workplace harassment, childcare, domestic violence and the gender pay gap.
Barb’s dedication and activism has always extended beyond her home union in the broader Labour Movement. Sister Jones has been active for many years with the Winnipeg Labour Council and has served for many years as the President of the Manitoba Federation of Union Retirees (MFUR) as well as the representative for retirees on the MFL Executive Council.
Barb has been an important presence in the MFL Women’s Committee for several decades (including time spent as co-chair and recording secretary), having only recently stepped back for health reasons.
She was instrumental in initiating annual labour events to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6th) and International Women’s Day (March 8th).
She has participated in MFL campaigns to establish paid domestic violence leave, to fundraise for a permanent memorial to honour Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and other victims of violence and to improve women’s access to childcare, fair pensions, and abortion and other public health services.
Barb has been a warm and generous support and mentor to countless Sisters along the way, earning her great respect and appreciation from activists across the Labour Movement.
The Manitoba Federation of Union Retirees thanks Sister Barb Jones for her dedication and commitment to bettering life for all retirees during her terms as President of MFUR and wishes her all the best in her future activities.