Janet Wainwright Strengthens Her Advocacy Through Labor Studies Program
“Knowledge is one thing no one can ever take away from you.” With these words, UFCW Local 400 member, shop steward and Vice President Janet Wainwright explains why she is studying to gain a degree in labor studies from Wayne State University.
A meat cutter who has worked at Kroger #555 in Yorktown, VA, for more than 10 years, Janet decided to utilize the UFCW Free College Program, which enables members to take higher education classes and pursue a college degree at no cost.
The former UFCW Free College Benefit has since been replaced by the UFCW Discount College Program, which offers members and their families more affordable options for pursuing higher education. The program provides access to a broader selection of participating colleges and degree programs, including certificates, associate degrees and bachelors degrees, with plans to introduce masters degree options.
Through partnerships with EBS Union College Benefit and EDVANCE, UFCW members and their families can receive exclusive tuition discounts ranging from 30% to 50% at participating colleges. Students can also work with school administrators to apply for federal financial assistance, which may help cover their remaining tuition costs.
“All my classes are online,” Janet said. “That’s what makes this possible, because with as much as I work, it gives me the ability to achieve the goals I want, to continue working and making money, and to grow knowledge.”
Like the former Free College Benefit, the Discount College Program offers online learning options, allowing members to pursue their education part-time or full-time while balancing work and other responsibilities.
“The other great thing about taking online courses is that you have time to sit down by yourself, turn off the world, take your classes and be good at them, especially when it’s a topic you’re interested in,” she noted. “So here I am at 63, still going to school, and I’m an A student.”
“Taking courses in labor studies has also been great because it shows you how much you actually know that you didn’t really think you knew,” Janet said. “And my union supports me all the way.”
In the run-up to the mid-term elections, Janet is serving as a zone lead for the Virginia AFL-CIO in Norfolk. She said that this real-world experience meshes perfectly with her coursework. “I’m taking a class right now on strategic planning,” she explained, “and because of what I’m doing now with the AFL-CIO, I get to talk to all the unions and hear how they build their unions. So I’m gaining insight into how I can help grow our union, and one thing I’m working on right now is a Gen Z group with UFCW Local 400, because our youth are the future.”
“I only have probably seven more years before I retire,” Janet said. “So my goal is to find people who can take my place when I do retire, because I want to see our union keep growing.”
“I’m very passionate about helping people,” she said. “I’d like to see everybody be able to have a union because I know what our union brings to the table for us as workers, and I also see through our organizing campaign with Kroger what the difference is between working in a union shop versus a non-union shop.”
“Our goal as a union — and my goal as a member — is to leave the world better than we came into it,” Janet emphasized. “That’s a big reason why I’ve taken this journey with education. And it’s why I hope other members also take advantage of the UFCW Free College Program because knowledge is one thing no one can ever take away from you.”
UFCW members and their families can follow Janet’s example by exploring opportunities to further their education through the UFCW Discount College Program. In order to learn more about participating schools, available degree programs and scholarships, visit the UFCW Discount College Program page.