Priscilla Puente from Local Union 13-227 in Pasadena, TX was selected as the USW’s overall Jefferson Awards Foundation Champion volunteer for 2016; she was honored with the 13 other district and SOAR Jefferson Award winners at Linden Hall in Pennsylvania on June 1st during a special ceremony held in honor of their outstanding community service. As the USW Champion volunteer, Priscilla is up to win an award as the nation’s top Jefferson Awards Champion volunteer for 2016 this week in Washington, D.C..
Growing up, Priscilla Puente’s parents always told her how important it is to give back. As an adult, she hasn’t forgotten that important lesson.
While volunteering with the Pasadena Habitat for Humanity, she was introduced to The Bridge Over Troubled Waters (TBOTW), a nonprofit organization and shelter that helps women who are victims of domestic violence. They provide educational programs, case management, crisis intervention, a 24—hour hotline, and many more vital services.
Priscilla quickly realized how impressive the shelter’s efforts are and became an advocate right away.
“I was very impressed with the TBOTW,” Priscilla said. “They have been changing lives for 38 years.”
As the chair of her local Women of Steel (WOS) chapter, Priscilla Puente goes above and beyond to do all she can to bring social and economic justice to those in need. She knew this position in the union gave her a rare opportunity to do more, and she wanted to find a way to help these women help themselves.
Understanding that financial stability is often the key to freedom for abuse victims, Priscilla and her fellow WOS members decided to establish a scholarship fund that would allow many of these women to gain certifications in one of three fields: process, instrumentation or analyzer technologies. This gives them the skills needed to find employment in USW refineries and plants.
Priscilla recognizes that with WOS partnering with TBOTW, the women are given a much better chance at living a free and fruitful life.
“TBOTW gives these women a safe refuge and social support, and we give them a way out of their economic situation,” Priscilla said. “Most importantly, women build the confidence to improve their households and community for generations.”