A Message From Colorado Local President Local President Sonny G

Greetings Colorado Members,

I just wanted to share this exciting news with you about one of Colorado’s own.

On Saturday, June 22, Colorado Local member and long-time leader Sheila Ivy Traister was one of four recipients to receive the prestigious SAG-AFTRA George Heller Memorial Award Gold Card award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to SAG-AFTRA and its members.

The George Heller Memorial Award is presented every two years at SAG-AFTRA’s national convention and bestowed based on contributions and years of service to SAG-AFTRA or its predecessor unions. Honorees are selected by the National Honors and Tributes Committee members from around the country.

Traister, a tireless union advocate, has dedicated more than 44 years of cumulative service to the labor movement, having served on the National Board, as president of the Colorado Local, and as a current member of five national committees. Traister puts particular focus on committees that help promote inclusiveness of her industry and the labor movement, and expand equal opportunity in the industry, including for performers who are Asian American and Pacific Islander, and performers with disabilities. She also devotes her time at the local level to conducting workshops and lectures for film students, educating them about SAG-AFTRA and the benefits of union membership.

On other fronts, I hope you were able to make it out to some of the activities the local hosted or co-sponsored over the past few months, including a SAG-AFTRA AdsGoUnion Commercial Organizing educational forum with the union’s national commercials staff, several events during SeriesFest and the recent SAG-AFTRA/AEA/CTG joint industry Tony Awards Viewing party.

There’s more to come… Keep a lookout for information on events happening in the local area in late August or September.

Until then, enjoy your summer,

Sonny G
Colorado Local President