Barbara Jean Easterling

Barbara J. Easterling, whose groundbreaking career in organized labor made her one of the most influential women in the American labor movement, died on October 29, 2026, in Washington, DC, at age 93, after a long illness. She devoted a lifetime to advancing the rights of working people, championing women in leadership, and strengthening communities through public service.

She was predeceased by her parents, Frank and Rose (Korngage) Kolton; her siblings Mary Agnes Avington, John Francis, Charles Bernard, Margaret Ann Pearson, Vivian Rose Swigart, Martha Louise Lipford, and James Lawrence; and uncles John, Frank, and Mike Korngage and aunts Mary Harper and Anna Gault. She is survived by many nephews and nieces as well as grandnephews and grandnieces.

Born in Akron, Ohio during the Depression, to Polish immigrant parents, she grew up in a family of coal miners and rubber workers. Those early experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to fairness, economic justice, and the dignity of work. She attended St. Mary's Grade and High Schools. Upon graduating, she began her career as a telephone operator with Ohio Bell and joined Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 4302, where she quickly emerged as an activist and leader. She served as a shop steward, secretary, and vice president of her local (4302) before accepting an appointment by Ohio Governor John Gilligan as Chief of the Ohio Labor Division.

In 1973, she returned to CWA as a full-time staff representative, later becoming administrative assistant to the vice president of District 4 before moving to Washington, D.C., where she served as assistant to CWA President Glenn Watts. In 1985, she was elected Executive Vice President of CWA. Seven years later, she made history again when delegates elected her as the union's first female Secretary-Treasurer, a position she held with distinction for more than a decade. She later became the first woman to serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL-CIO, further cementing her place among the nation's most respected labor leaders.

Throughout her career, Easterling was widely recognized for breaking barriers for women in organized labor. She was a passionate advocate for workplace equality, equal opportunity, and the advancement of women into leadership positions. Her commitment extended well beyond the United States. In 2001, she was elected President of the World Women's Committee of Union Network International (UNI), representing more than 17 million workers worldwide, where she promoted the rights of women workers on a global stage. She also led CWA's efforts to raise awareness of domestic violence and supported initiatives to improve the lives of working families everywhere.

Easterling's influence reached beyond labor organizations. She served on the Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee, was Vice Chair of the National Alliance to End Homelessness and held leadership positions with the Faith & Politics Institute, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, the United Way of America, and several charitable organizations. She was also an active supporter of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Over the course of her distinguished career, Easterling received numerous honors recognizing both her professional achievements and her public service. Among them were induction into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, the Women's Equity Action League Award, the Eugene V. Debs Award, the International Women's Democracy Center Global Democracy Award, the Ellis Island American Legend Award, the March of Dimes Salute to Labor Award, and the Joseph A. Beirne Community Services Award, recognizing outstanding volunteer service through the United Way.

Besides her commitment to social and economic justice, she was devoted to her Catholic faith and to her family. In particular, she was the inspiration and organizer of many happy occasions to gather and bind together her large family. She travelled home to Ohio for holidays and always organized family get togethers.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; Saint Mary's School (Akron, Ohio); the Catholic Near East Welfare Association; or to a charity of your choice that would honor her memory.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 12 from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM with a rosary at 7:00 PM at the Dunn-Quigley Funeral Home, AKRON CHAPEL, 1990 S. Main St. in Akron (please note new address). Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, November 13 at 10:00 AM at St. Mary Catholic Church, 750 S. Main St. in Akron, followed by interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. (Dunn-Quigley, AKRON, www.anthonyfh.com)