Page 39 - FOP Magazine August 2020

Women’s Committee Co-Chair Inez Riley is sworn in as an appointed board member under Dean Angelo.
to see my committee work,” shared Riley, who has 22 years on the job. “I’m hoping one day that we do get our first female FOP president. That would be awesome.”
Added Ortiz: “I would like to have women be trustees, ser- geant-at-arms, either first, second or third vice president or the president. That’s what I would like to see with this committee — we’re going to be able to inspire more women to get involved and really understand union business.”
Ortiz is ready to use this new committee as a tool to end the stigma of not coming to Chicago FOP meetings because women don’t feel like they have a place.
“You do have a place. You wear the same uniform as every man and woman on this job,” Ortiz conveyed. “This is a union, which is going to welcome everybody from every part of the city. This is a police union, and you’re all policemen and policewom- en. And we are here for you.”
And, according to Riley, having females on the force helps im- prove community relations and fosters a less intimidating law enforcement presence. She wants women to understand that even if male counterparts have a little more muscle, the training equips all officers equally for the job.
And so, as the 15 women who attended the first committee meeting sat in their seats with positive attitudes and smiles abounding, Riley felt confident that Catanzara’s goal of female advocacy within the union holds immense possibilities.
They’re gaining momentum, and the co-chairs are gearing up for the road ahead in getting more women involved with Lodge 7.
“Don’t let anybody intimidate you to ever feel uncomfortable in your job,” Riley emphasized. “If I could’ve done my career all over again, the best thing I could have done is become more active in the union earlier. It afforded me so many opportuni- ties, and guess what? Nobody treated me differently. I realized I could make a difference, and every woman can make a differ- ence. Your voice is powerful. Use it.”
Women’s Committee Co-Chair Monica Ortiz is focused on giving female members a bigger voice and encouraging them to set goals of achieving union leadership positions.
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