Ford, Patricia

Patricia Ford is international executive vice-president of the Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC. Ms. Ford began her labor career in Oakland, California, when she led a group of employees seeking to reform its independent union, the Alameda County Employees Association, and helped affiliate it with SEIU as Local 616. She became the first African-American woman elected president of that local. She then was appointed to the union’s top position, executive director. Under her leadership, the local helped 6,000 Alameda County home-care workers organize for better pay and benefits. She continues to make history at SEIU: With her election as international executive vice-president in 1996, she became the first African-American — and only the second woman — chosen to fill a top leadership post. She heads SEIU’s government-affairs program, overseeing not only the union’s political and legislative efforts but also its work in the areas of international affairs and human and civil rights. During her tenure at Local 616, the local developed and hosted the first SEIU sponsored Civil and Human Rights Conference. The union has expanded these conferences to all regions of the country, where they are held every two years. Since 1997 Patricia Ford has held a seat on the Democratic National Committee. She is also a member of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.