Justice Marbury at The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reports Rochester Labor Leader Zola Brown has been honored as one of the New York State Senate's Women of Distinction for 2025. Brown has been honored by State Senator Jeremy Cooney and is one of 62 Women honored across New York. The Senate's Women of Distinction honor is given to recognize the strength, courage and vision of extraordinary Women that exemplify the spirit of New York. Each honoree has made lasting contributions to their respective communities as they demonstrated dedication, innovation and leadership. For more than 44 years, Brown - a second-generation Union Activist, has dedicated her life to the Labor Movement. While working as a Patient Unit Secretary at Strong Memorial Hospital, Brown began her Labor Movement journey at 1199Service Employees International Union (SEIU) United Healthcare Workers East. There, she fought for social and economic justice, participated in contract negotiations, picket lines and with the Solidarity Singers. Brown went on to become a Delegate, Executive Board Member and Vice President of the Rochester Local. “One of my favorite things to do is to be able to highlight and lift up people in our community who are doing the work - often times quietly doing the work - and give them their flowers while they’re here,” Cooney. “We only get to choose one, which is so hard because we have so many phenomenal Women in our community, but Zola is someone who has been on my mind for years and years and years."

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Photo Courtesy Of Zola Brown’s Facebook Page.