Photo by Dennis B. Doris Jr.

Kim Sousa

Many talented staffers at GCIU headquarters keep the many functions of the International union running smoothly. One of them is Kim Sousa who goes well beyond her primary job and fills in when needed to do many other necessary member services.

Kim, who will celebrate her ninth anniversary at the GCIU in February, is primarily a secretary in the Contract and Research and Education Department. She works with International Rep. Alan M. Tate, who was recently chosen coordinator for the contract and research office.

But in addition to working on keeping track of contracts, she assists GCIU Vice Pres. Edward Toff, the GCIU's education director, in projects designed to promote education and training for GCIU members.

And with the new organizing emphasis pushed by the Tedeschi administration and adopted by the 2000 GCIU convention delegates, Kim was also drafted to work with Organizing Coordinator Bert Haft in helping with Organizing Department activities. Whenever the much-traveled Haft stops at International headquarters, Kim provides any needed secretarial support to keep the GCIU's organizing efforts on schedule.

She is also involved in the planning for a September 2002 conference of GCIU women, working with GCIU Vice Pres. Leonard E. Adams and Executive Assistant to the GCIU President Richard J. Whitworth and others to ensure the conference is a success.

Of course, Kim's varied activities keep her constantly busy, but she regards the variety of duties as a plus. "I like it when I can help the members," she said. "When GCIU members call me and I can provide whatever service they need, it is a good feeling."

Kim, the mother of a 12-year-old son, Andriano J. ("A.J."), came to the GCIU in 1993 and started out as the primary switchboard operator at the international. After about a year, she moved into another job providing secretarial support for the education and safety and health offices. Finally, in 1985 she came over to the Contract, Research and Education Department.

She had come to the GCIU from Americans for Democratic Action, a Washington, D.C., pro-worker think-tank and promoter of liberal causes. She spent two years as the membership coordinator with the ADA.

Outside the office, Kim also stays very busy. Her first priority, raising A.J., keeps her busy in the evenings helping him with school projects. Her coaching and example are showing good results, since A.J. is an honor roll seventh grade student at Cary Christian Academy in Woodbridge, Va. She also helps out at the school as a "volunteer mom" whenever needed.

Outside of homework and scholastic coaching, Kim has also taken her son to see the Baltimore Orioles major league baseball team play at Camden Yards and endeavors to join him in other non-academic activities.

She also loves to cook. In addition to meals for A.J., she periodically cooks a meal for a few friends. Because she has many acquaintances in the Portuguese community, she often cooks seafood or pork dishes flavored by garlic and olive oil that is favored by the Portuguese.

Kim's former husband was Portuguese, and she developed many enduring friendships among that ethnic group. Kim took it upon herself to learn the Portuguese language that they speak among themselves and now can converse easily in that language.

Kim also spends time with her parents, particularly her mom, and her brother Marc's four young children, aged 7, 4, 3, and 1. One of the big events she is looking forward to is the retirement of her mother from 37 years of government service with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

All in all, Kim Sousa likes her busy days and the people she works with. "The big priority in the work I do is to help the members we represent. One of the things I enjoy most is that many of them take the time to let us know that what we do is appreciated. It gives me a good feeling," she said.