IBEW 1245 Organizing Stewards Awards Brunch
Turlock — IBEW Local 1245 hosted its first annual Organizing Steward End-of-Year Awards Brunch in Turlock, bringing people together to celebrate the work and commitment of organizing stewards across the union.
More than 80 people attended the event, a reflection of the growth of Local 1245’s organizing program, built over many years by members who believe in developing worker-led leadership to protect one another, and strengthening the labor movement.
Donny Davis speaking to his fellow organizers after being honored with the Community Service Award.
The brunch was a special opportunity to celebrate one another and recognize several outstanding organizing stewards for their dedication, leadership, and commitment to member-driven organizing.
2025 Award Recipients
Community Service Award — Donny Davis
Presented by Senior Assistant Business Manager Al Fortier, the Community Service Award honored Donny Davis for his deep commitment to service. Through countless volunteer efforts, Donny consistently brings others along, making service engaging, fun, and something people are proud to be part of.
Political Engagement Award — Brenda Balcazar
Brenda Balcazar presented with the Political Enagement Award for her tireless work holding truth to power.
Presented by Organizer Melissa Echeverria, the Political Engagement Award recognized Brenda Balcazar for her work to engage members in the political process and advocate for working families. Brenda is revered by labor leaders at the South Bay Central Labor Council where she has recruited and led volunteers for GOTV for several election cycles.
Mentorship Award — Laquania Q. Thompson
Laquania Q. Thompson won the Mentorship Award for her work to unite and lift up fellow 1245 members.
Presented by Organizer Rick Thompson, the Mentorship Award celebrated Laquania Q. Thompson for her dedication to lifting up fellow members, sharing knowledge, and building confidence in others. Laquania is known for bringing people together, offering support, and helping fellow members step into leadership with confidence.
Excellence in Organizing Award — Eileen Purcell
A special moment of the brunch was the presentation of the Excellence in Organizing Award to Eileen Purcell, presented by Assistant Business Manager and Organizer, Rene Cruz Martinez.
Eileen is a longtime organizer whose work has helped shape IBEW Local 1245’s modern organizing and leadership development programs. She brought decades of experience to 1245 focused on building relationships, developing leaders, and creating space for people to step into their power. Alongside Fred Ross Jr., she helped build the union’s nationally recognized organizing and leadership program, grounded in solidarity, trust, and shared purpose.
Eileen Purcell, Sr. Advisor receives the Excellence in Organizing Award from Rene Cruz Martinez for dedicating a lifetime of leadership and service to empowering workers and advancing the labor movement.
In presenting the award, Rene credited Eileen with constantly challenging her brothers and sisters — including himself — to find and use their voice. In accepting the honor, Eileen made it clear the recognition belonged to the entire room. “It’s this team — every single one of you,” she said.
Eileen spoke about the unique role organizing stewards play within the union. “Shop stewards defend the contract,” she explained. “Safety stewards defend life and limb. Organizing stewards defend, protect, and grow the labor movement.”
Eileen shared two postcards she keeps on her refrigerator as daily reminders of why the work matters. One features a quote often attributed to Frederick Douglass: “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” The other offers a simple definition of organizing: “I bring people together so they can unlock the beauty, power, and wisdom that exist in our streets, jobsites, and backroads.”
She shared with the group something they understood well, that organizing is experiential, something learned through doing. She told a story from when her now adult son was 10 years old. He was asked to explain what his mother did for a living. He tried, stumbled a bit, and then proudly exclaimed, “She’s an organizer!” — because how else do you define it? She smiled as she recalled the moment— her son was clearly proud of what she did, even if the definition is difficult to put into words.
The message of the day was clear: the strength of Local 1245 lives in the people doing this work. With a full agenda ahead and important fights on the horizon, organizing stewards are stepping forward for what comes next.
