Connie Ling was born in the Philippines and lived in Hong Kong before coming to the US in 1967. After working in non-union garment shops, she got a job in a union factory as a sewing machine operator in 1970. Shortly after starting work, she was asked to be a shop representative because, as she says, she ‘had a big mouth’ and was not shy about speaking up for herself and her co-workers. In addition to representing workers, she served as a translator to help them access community resources and gain more of a voice in politics. In 1982, Connie was asked to join Local 23-25 of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union as a staff member to help represent and organize workers in Chinatown. She was instrumental in helping organize the 1982 Chinatown Strike.
With three children in public school, Connie served as President of the Parents Association of the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Middle School (IS 131) and was very active in her local School Board. She was also active in the Hok Shan Association in Chinatown, helping seniors, supporting political activity, and working on voter registration drives.
Connie was a founding member of the Chinese Chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) and the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA). She continues to be politically active and supports voter registration drives in her community.
Connie Ling was born in the Philippines and lived in Hong Kong before coming to the US in 1967. After working in non-union garment shops, she got a job in a union factory as a sewing machine operator in 1970. Shortly after starting work, she was asked to be a shop representative because, as she says, she ‘had a big mouth’ and was not shy about speaking up for herself and her co-workers. In addition to representing workers, she served as a translator to help them access community resources and gain more of a voice in politics. In 1982, Connie was asked to join Local 23-25 of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union as a staff member to help represent and organize workers in Chinatown. She was instrumental in helping organize the 1982 Chinatown Strike.