Across California, UDW members phone banked, canvassed neighborhoods, talked with voters, and helped turn out support for candidates and issues that matter to working families. Many did this after long shifts and on weekends, ensuring our voices were heard at the ballot box.
Some members took that commitment even further.
Sydney O’Connor, a home care provider and UDW District 5 Chair, didn’t just encourage people to vote — she put her name on the ballot. Her campaign for Kern County Board of Supervisors is a reminder that care workers belong anywhere decisions are being made. When working people step forward as candidates, we’re not just participating in democracy; we’re helping shape it.
Sydney’s journey reminds us that leaders don’t need traditional political backgrounds. They can be care workers, union members, and community advocates who understand real-world challenges. The most powerful thing a care worker can do goes beyond casting a ballot; it’s recognizing that their experience and leadership belong in public office.
More care workers are realizing that political power doesn’t end at voting. It can begin with seeing someone like yourself on the ballot and knowing you can lead, too.
