Homegrown Hero: Walthene Primus, Fighting for Gender Equality
We are pleased to announce that Walthene Primus has agreed to participate in NYCHA’s “I am NextGen” campaign and is now featured in display posters throughout NYCHA and public media for her commitment to public service.
You grew up at a NYCHA development, didn’t you?
Yes, my family moved into Albany Houses, in Brooklyn, when I was three years old and I lived there until I was 28. It was like one big, happy family and I have lots of fond memories. Parents watched out for all the kids and Artie, our Housing patrolman, knew everyone by name. I went to the community center for help with homework and parties.
What was your NYCHA career like and how did you get interested in the union?
I joined NYCHA in 1977 as a Clerical in the Housing Applications Division at 250 Broadway. I arrived eager to work and was treated fairly. I remember all the filing being done manually back then. Later, I worked in Community Operations and the Disbursement Department. I became curious about the union when I asked the shop steward about a deduction for union dues on my first paycheck. I wanted to know where that money was going, so I began attending DC [District Council] Local 957 meetings in this building.
How has your career advanced in the union? My first position was shop steward for [Housing Authority Clerical Employees] Local 956, which I held for almost 15 years. Then the union asked me to come work in headquarters as acting secretary, and I was later elected to that position. That’s when, around 1997, I was granted release time from NYCHA to work for the union full-time. Later, I was elected Local 957 vice president, and eventually I was elected president, serving for four terms. After that, I served on DC 37’s Laws and Rules Committee and then the Ethical Practices Committee. And I’m now serving my third term as chair of the National Women’s Advisory Committee of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
How did your interest in gender issues develop?
As National AFSCME Chair, I saw that many women in different jobs and places were not treated as well as we are here. That made me want to advocate for the rights of women workers so they can get the respect and opportunities that they deserve.
Most recently, you were appointed to the Commission on Gender Equality, launched by Mayor Bill de Blasio to reduce gender-based inequality. What concerns do you want to pursue, and do you think your work will affect women who live and work at NYCHA?
The Commission began its work in June 2015; I was appointed in January of this year. One issue I want to discuss is equal pay for women. A lot of progress has been made but we’re not all there yet. Many women work for NYCHA, so many issues that we work on could affect them or their daughters. When I attended my first union meeting in this building, I never thought that one day I’d be sitting behind this desk. I want to work to create that same kind of opportunity for other women.
