Barbara Niven Instagram – These are my first Headshots I ever took, in about 1986. Wow, what a baby I was – I had no idea what I didn’t know yet. But I have learned a lot since then. Today, as this #LaborDay comes to a close, I want to share what I have been thinking about: I am so grateful, lucky and proud to be a #UnionMember.
I joined the #screenactorsguild years ago when I booked my first big movie #Promise for #HallmarkHallOfFame. It won the Emmy for Best MOW that year, about the same time I took these headshots. I remember holding my first SAG card in wonder. I was just happy to have a real acting job! I did not understand how important my union would be to me all these years later.
But being a union member has helped me in every stage of my career. My union has ensured that I have had better working conditions, got paid a better wage, got health insurance and eventually a pension, and so much more. When I got older, I spent three years on the National Board of Directors for #SAG, because by then I realized how lucky I was and I wanted to pay it forward to other actors.
Wow… that word “Pension”. When I was young, I never even had a concept of what a pension was, or why it would be important. I couldn’t ever imagine becoming older and retirement age! But now, because of my union, I have a pension that I can count on to help me through the rest of my days. I wish this for everyone.
That is why I stand with, and support, union workers. No matter what job we have, we all deserve dignity and the opportunity to grow and thrive. Individually, our voices are small. But when we work together, we are stronger together, and we can achieve so much more. It is our responsibility to help lift each other up, and then pay it forward.
So, happy Labor Day. Are you in a union too? And has it made a difference in your life as it has mine?
Love you xo | Posted on 03/Sep/2024 08:35:06
