Verlene Wilder has been an activist in the labor movement for the last 26 yrs. She started as a rank and file member of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU Local 6) working in health care. Her work with labor management led to a position with SEIU Local 6, where she served for two years as a business representative and organizer. SEIU Local 6 prepared Verlene for her present job as the Lead Organizer for the Labor Council's Union Cities Program. As a Union Cities Organizer her responsibilities include bringing all the affiliates of the council together to work in solidarity on organizing, member mobilization and education, diversity and civil and human rights. She is also responsible for community and religious outreach. Verlene serves on the Washington State Living Wage steering committee with Washington Association of Churches, Washington Citizen Action, and the Washington State Labor Council. She is the President of the Seattle Chapter A. Philip Randolph Institute and an active volunteer in the African American religious community.