First inspired by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Tess Ewing has been an activist all her adult life. The specific issue or sector of the Movement has changed: women’s liberation, anti-racism, anti-imperialism, tenants’ rights, LGBTQ rights, labor, immigrant rights—but the basic goal of social and economic justice has remained the same. For the last 40 years, Tess has made her home in the labor movement, focusing especially on promoting the activism and leadership of women and people of color.

Tess retired in 2012 from UMass Boston, where she coordinated the Labor Extension Program. Since then she has remained active with WILD, the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development, and UALE, the United Association of Labor Educators. She also hosts a monthly community access cable TV program in Cambridge on women and work, and recently has been a part of the Cambridge Committee to Raise the Minimum Wage.