Community mourns loss of influential labor leader Jane McAlevy

During a recent council meeting, members paid tribute to three influential figures who passed away, highlighting their significant contributions to the community and labor movements in Los Angeles.

Councilmember Hugosaro Martinez led the tributes by requesting the meeting be adjourned in honor of Jane McAlevy, a prominent labor organizer and author who died earlier this month at the age of 59. McAlevy was celebrated for her dedication to empowering the working class through grassroots union organizing. Her influential writings, particularly her book \"No Shortcuts,\" have inspired a resurgence in labor activism among younger generations. Martinez emphasized her belief that effective organizing requires skill development akin to that of professional training in various fields, underscoring her lasting impact on the labor movement.

Councilmember Hernandez followed with a motion to adjourn in memory of Theodore Higgins, a dedicated city employee who passed away on July 22. Higgins, who served as an environmental compliance inspector, was recognized for his leadership in the Industrial Waste Management Division and his recent efforts to develop a pilot program for street vendors. Colleagues remembered him as a \"gentle giant\" whose enthusiasm and commitment to his work left a lasting impression on his peers and the community.

Lastly, Councilmember Lee honored Dr. Jin Hyung Kim, a key figure in the Korean American community, who passed away at the age of 90. Dr. Kim was instrumental in establishing Koreatown in Los Angeles, founding the Koreatown Development Association and advocating for various community initiatives, including dual language signage and cultural celebrations. His legacy includes the establishment of the Koreatown Festival and the recognition of his contributions in the congressional record.

The council members expressed their condolences and gratitude for the legacies of McAlevy, Higgins, and Kim, acknowledging their profound impacts on the labor movement and the communities they served.