Sheila W. Jordan

Sheila’s Story On Saturday, September 22, 2001, God sent the angel of death to touch his humble servant, Sheila W. Jordan. She left earth to join the heavenly hosts. Sheila was born on June 12, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York to Cecelia L. Bailey and the late Lonnie B. Bailey, Sr. At a young age, Sheila was baptized at providence Baptist Church, Where she began her Christian education. She sang in the Young Adult Choir. God blessed her with a voice like a songbird and she blessed others with her rendition of “Oh Happy Day.” She was an active youngster and enjoyed endless hours of competition with her brother, Lonnie Jr., who preceded her in death. Sheila was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System and graduated from Forest Park Senior High School in 1970. She also attended the Community College of Baltimore. In 1969, Sheila was united in holy matrimony with the late Thomas Sullivan. From this union there were two children, Keinya and La Tanya. On September 15, 1990, Sheila married Eric Jordan. Together they shared a love that compared to none other. Eric was a devoted and supportive mate in all her endeavors. Together, Sheila and Eric shared a special love for their grandchildren, Monique, Jamir and Tanaya. Sheila was the one person that each of her family members depended upon, whether good times or bad. Sheila was fondly known by her family as the “Rock”. Sheila was employed by the Baltimore City Jail for sixteen years. Then in 1987, she took leave from the jail to begin organizing a union that would fight for fair treatment, equal opportunities and better working conditions. In January 1988, the City Union of Baltimore (CUB) received their charter under the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFL-CIO. She held the positions of labor relation’s specialist and then staff director. In 1997, Sheila ran for and was elected president. Under her leadership CUB has received the AFT Pride of the Union Award for 1998 and 2000, Committee on Political Education (COPE) Awards and AFT Federation of Public Employees Special Recognition Award in 2001. She was appointed by President Shanker to the National Committee for Public Employees, where she served until her death. Sheila has been acknowledged for advancing the cause of public employees across the nation and her contributions to the entire labor movement. Under her leadership, the City Union of Baltimore has successfully purchased and renovated its own building. CUB will take residency in October of this year. Sheila was just re-elected to her third term as president of the City Union of Baltimore. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Eric Jordan; two daughters, Kenya and La Tanya Sullivan; mother, Cecelia Bailey; three grandchildren, Monique, Jamir and Tanaya Simmons; three foster sisters, Gloria, Allison and Wanda Williams; seven aunts, Glenda McClam, Lorraine, Laura, Inez and Jacqueline Phillips of Baltimore, Willie Mae Nettles and Altia Mae Brown of Texas; two uncles, Garrett Phillips of Baltimore and D.L. Bailey of Texas; father –in –law, Matthew Jordan; special family friend, Joseph Simmons; and a host to other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Sheila W. Jordan

June 12, 1952 - September 22, 2001