Oral Histories

Araida Palacios

   October 28, 2023

   

Member/Leader, SEIU Local 880 (ACORN affiliate organization) Childcare Bargaining Committee, Chicago, 2005-2008; Board Member, SEIU HCIIMK*, 2008 on *HCIIMK was a new Local organized in 2008 and composed of SEIU Local 880’s 70,000 homecare and childcare members, SEIU Local 4’s 10,000 nursing home members, and SEIU Local 20’s 7,000 hospital and clinic workers.

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1. October 28, 0023 Interviewed by Maurice Bisaillon

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Araida Palacios immigrated to Chicago from a small town in Mexico when she was 20. In this interview, she explains that she fell in love with the freedom. She had a boyfriend who spoke a lot about unions, which drew her interest. She was a childcare provider for Ann Igoe, an SEIU organizer who invited her to meetings. Keith Kelleher was her mentor, and a tremendous and empathetic leader. She remembers a really powerful rally at the state fair against Governor Rauner. Shortly after SEIU helped her gain her citizenship, she was arrested during a Fight for 15 rally, which she felt was a great way to celebrate her citizenship. She shares suggestions for new activists, who she believes need to listen to stories in order to grow and learn. She gets very emotional discussing how hard it is for families raising children, and proud she is that the union helps them.