Happy Retirement, Madelyn! 

May 27, 2021

As it happens with many long-range plans, a day once so far away, is suddenly upon us. Oregon Tradeswomen’s CEO and lauded labor activist, Madelyn Elder, is retiring in June!

Madelyn came to Oregon Tradeswomen with firsthand experience of what it’s like to be female in a male dominated industry. She worked for more than 20 years in both Seattle and Portland as a cable splicer before shifting her work to focus on worker justice and financial management. Madelyn served as president of the Communications Workers of America (CW) local 7901 for 15 years. During this time, she also earned her post baccalaureate degree in accounting.

Madelyn retired from CWA in 2014 and joined Oregon Tradeswomen full time as our first Chief Financial Officer. Madelyn’s work and leadership has been invaluable to our growth as an organization, and living our work and mission to ensure equity and dignity in the workplace.

Madelyn’s team will miss her leadership, sass, and joyful laughter. We know she will continue showing up and speaking out for worker justice.

We wish Madelyn all the best in retirement and know that while she will get to spend time with friends, family, and go on many birding adventures, she will continue to raise hell.! Much love to and best wishes to our sister.

With love,
Oregon Tradeswomen

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Posted in About Oregon Tradeswomen, Career Path, tradeswomen

15 Comments

  1. David Thompson on June 4, 2021 at 7:26 am

    Yay, Madelyn!

    Reply
  2. Mark Sturbois on June 4, 2021 at 8:01 am

    Proven leader and a great mentor to me

    Reply
  3. Lisa Serrano on June 4, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    Congratulations, Madelyn! Thank you for all your work over the years!

    Reply
    • Gail Walker on June 15, 2021 at 10:50 am

      Thanks for all you’ve done.
      Please have a wonderful retirement. -Gail

      Reply
    • Carolyn King on June 15, 2021 at 2:59 pm

      Congratulations on your retirement Madelyn! You’ve worked hard to get there.
      Carolyn King-Winslow & George Winslow

      Reply
  4. Ada Marie Jackson-Haynes on June 14, 2021 at 4:15 pm

    Congratulations Madelyn. You was a forced to be reckoned with at the phone company. It’s time to enjoy life now

    Reply
  5. Terry Skorich on June 14, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    Have some great memories with you my friend!!
    Have a great retirement…..

    Reply
  6. rita adams-daggett on June 14, 2021 at 4:51 pm

    Happy for you! Retirement is great!

    Reply
  7. Gloria Aleksich on June 14, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    I am so happy for you❤️ The work you do will continue because of all the love you have in mentoring and helping people! Enjoy and have fun!

    Reply
  8. Kim Cady on June 14, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    Madelyn is the best! She mentored me, supported me and became a friend. Couldn’t be happier for you!

    Reply
  9. Kim Cady on June 14, 2021 at 7:35 pm

    Madelyn is the best. She mentored me, taught me, supported me and became a friend!! Congrats I couldn’t be happier for you

    Reply
  10. George Moore Jr on June 15, 2021 at 12:26 am

    Congratulation Madelyn, Wishing you the best , what a trooper, I will always remember you. You came to my aid when I needed you at the most. @ Avaya Communication. Local 7901.

    Reply
  11. Harold J. Brookins on June 15, 2021 at 10:11 am

    Madelyn….. good going my friend…
    from Cheryll & Harold Brookins

    Reply
  12. Lucinda Baldwin on June 16, 2021 at 12:17 pm

    Congrats Madelyn, enjoy your time… Lou Baldwin

    Reply
  13. Sue Lovenstein on July 9, 2021 at 9:08 am

    Congratulations and Best Wishes for Healthy Happy and Fun Retirement!… Sue Lovenstein

    Reply

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