Donna Waddell Receives the NAACP’s Benjamin L. Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award
UFCW Local 400 Vice President Donna Waddell has been honored as the recipient of the 2026 Benjamin L. Hooks Keeper of the Flame Award by the NAACP National Labor Committee.
The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional service in advancing the objectives of the NAACP and the labor movement. She was presented the award at the 117th NAACP National Convention in Chicago, Illinois, on July 22.
Donna serves as the Regional Director for Plants & Southern Virginia for UFCW Local 400. Before that, she served as a union representative. Prior to joining UFCW Local 400 staff, Donna worked as a quality auditor for Dan River Mills Inc. in Danville, Virginia, serving as the chief steward in her department for 18 years.
“Congratulations to our sister Donna Waddell, whose devotion to empowering our members and fighting for social, economic and racial justice is unparalleled,” said UFCW Local 400 Secretary-Treasurer Mike Wilson. “As our members in Southern Virginia and those working at meat packing, textile and other plants can testify first-hand, Donna is a dynamo who gets things done, takes on the powers that be, and lifts all of us up. In addition, her community outreach and her success building alliances has strengthened UFCW Local 400 beyond measure. A pillar of solidarity, she is more than deserving of this outstanding honor.”
In addition to her service with UFCW Local 400, Donna is an active member of the Danville local chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and the Pittsylvania County NAACP, where she served as Freedom Fund Chair for several years. Donna is also an elected member At-Large for the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP and serves on the National Board of Directors for the SCLC. Donna is the Vice President of Faces of Our Children, where she oversees the headquarters in Danville. And she is a member of the UFCW Minority Coalition.