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Left: Tova Perlmutter, Sugar Law Executive Director
Right: John Philo, Sugar Law Legal Director
Above:Wonderful live jazz was provided by A. Spencer Barefield (guitar) and Donald Mayberry (bass).
ESSENTIAL: Advocacy guest of honor Andy Levin, Deputy Director of Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth
Photo 1: Al Benchich, President of UAW Local 909, and Julie Hurwitz, Sugar Law board member.
Photo 2: Andy Meisner, State Representative, and Lana Pollack, President of the Michigan Environmental Council.
Photo 3: Charlene Turner Johnson, Executive Director of Michigan Nonprofit Association's Metro Detroit Partnership, and Sugar Law Executive Director Tova Perlmutter.
Photo 4: Sugar Law Legal Director John Philo, and Detroit City Council Research and Analysis Department staffers Debbie Pospeich and David Whitaker.
Photo 5: Former Sugar Law Staff Attorney Susie Meredith (now Research Analyst for Michigan AFL-CIO).
Photo 6: Sugar Law supporters Esther Shapiro and Beverly McDonald with Board President Marilyn Mullane.
Photo 7: Al Saperstein and Fran Shor, Wayne State University faculty.
Photo 8: Sugar Law board member Bill Goodman and Sugar Law supporter Esther Shapiro.
Photo 1: Frank Joyce, former UAW Director of Communications with Elizabeth Dunn, UAW International Secretary-Treasurer.
Photo 2: Michigan Nurses Association Representative Julie Barton; Detroit City Council staffer Naya Cannon; Michigan AFL-CIO Secretary Treasurer Tina Abbott.
Photo 3: Environmental Program Diriector of ACCESS, Kathryn Savoie; Michael Friedman, Barbara Harvey and Tony Paris, SLC Staff Attorney.
Photo 4: Tova Perlmutter and Michele Meredith.
Photo 5: Lana Pollack, Andy Levin, our guest of honor and Tina Abbott, Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO.
Photo 6: Andy Levin, Tina Abbott Secretary-Treasurer for the AFL-CIO and Lana Pollack.
Photo 1: Sugar Law supporters arrive at Essential: Advocacy for Workplace Justice.
Photo 2: Julie Hurwitz, former Sugar Law Executive Director and Jeanne Mirer, a member of SLC's Board of Directors.
Photo 3: Guests bidding on auction items.
Photo 4: Harper Hospital Nurse Carolyn Harrington and Carlton Burroughs.
Photo 5: Mary Anne Barnett of AFSCME's organizing department, and Co-Founder of Palestine Office of MI, Hasan Newash.
Photo 6: John Philo, Tova Perlmutter, Michael O'Reilly, and Julie Barton Michigan Nurses Association representative.
Photo 7: Michigan House Democratic Leader Steve Tobocman; United Community Housing Coalition Executive Director Ted Phillips; attorney Jim Sheehan.
As the photos on this page show, a wonderful crowd gathered November 14 at Detroit Public Library’s Skillman branch for Sugar Law’s reception, ESSENTIAL: Advocacy for Workplace Justice. The evening’s pleasures included live jazz by internationally acclaimed musicians; a silent auction of 47 items including artwork, crafts, entertainment and dining pleasures; a raffle of two vacation getaways; hors d’oeuvres from Atlas Global Bistro; and a brief but inspiring commentary on workers’ rights by guest of honor Andy Levin.
The best part of ESSENTIAL: Advocacy, however, was not any of the planned elements, but the “vibe” of energetic, excited conversation and laughter. The elegant 1930s-era room was filled with people of all ages, occupations and interests—people who have known each other for years, along with new Sugar Law supporters.
Our gratitude for the event’s financial success goes to supporters from all over the country, many of whom gave more than ever before. (See “Partner” lists at right.) We are very mindful that many of these donors were inspired to such generosity by the extraordinary commitment of our challenge donor, who chose to match donations to ESSENTIAL: Advocacy but requested anonymity in doing so. This enormous gesture mobilized Sugar Law contributors dramatically, beyond even what we hoped.
Sugar Law’s need for financial support does not end with one event, of course, however wonderful. We look forward to your presence—and renewed generosity— at our next gathering.
As the photos on this page show, a wonderful crowd gathered November 14 at Detroit Public Library’s Skillman branch for Sugar Law’s reception, ESSENTIAL: Advocacy for Workplace Justice. The evening’s pleasures included live jazz by internationally acclaimed musicians; a silent auction of 47 items including artwork, crafts, entertainment and dining pleasures; a raffle of two vacation getaways; hors d’oeuvres from Atlas Global Bistro; and a brief but inspiring commentary on workers’ rights by guest of honor Andy Levin.