Lillian Roberts

On July 9, 2026, Lillian Roberts, a towering figure in the American labor movement and former Executive Director of District Council 37 (DC 37) of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), passed away after a lifetime dedicated to advancing the rights, dignity, and economic security of working people. Her death marks the loss of one of the labor movement’s most influential and courageous leaders.

Born on January 2, 1928, to Henry and Lillian Davis (her namesake), she had four siblings: Robert, Odell, Bertha and Leon, all of whom preceded her in death. Lillian began her professional journey as a nurse’s aide in Chicago, where she quickly emerged as an advocate for her coworkers. Her union activism started in 1947 when she became a shop steward and secretary of her AFSCME local at the University of Chicago Hospital. What began as a commitment to improving conditions for fellow workers grew into a remarkable career spanning nearly eight decades.

In the late 1950s she was recruited to organize hospital workers, and in 1965 she moved to New York City to help build DC 37 alongside legendary labor leader Victor Gotbaum. She became a powerful force for public-sector workers, particularly health care employees, and earned a reputation for fearless advocacy and principled leadership.

Lillian was widely admired for her willingness to confront injustice head-on. In 1968, she led a strike on behalf of state hospital workers and was jailed for defying New York’s anti-strike laws (the Taylor Law). The experience only strengthened her resolve and cemented her standing as a champion of workers who too often lacked a voice.

A trailblazer in every sense, she became the first Black woman appointed to serve as New York State Labor Commissioner in 1981. She was also a founding member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and one of the first Black women to serve in leadership roles within AFSCME. Throughout her career, Lillian opened doors for women, African Americans, and future generations of labor leaders.

In 2002, she returned to DC 37 during a challenging period and was elected Executive Director. Under her leadership, the union restored its strength and credibility while expanding services for members. She championed worker education, legal services, health and welfare benefits, while fighting tirelessly against privatization and outsourcing. Her steady leadership helped improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of public employees and their families. She served as Executive Director until her retirement in 2014.

Those who worked alongside Lillian remember not only her formidable intellect and determination but also her deep commitment to fairness, equality, and social justice. She believed that unions had a responsibility to fight for broader justice in society and devoted her life to ensuring that working people were treated with dignity and respect.

Lillian leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of leadership, courage, and service. Her impact can be seen in the generations of labor activists she mentored, the institutions she helped build, and the countless workers whose lives were improved through her advocacy. She will be remembered as a pioneering union leader, a champion for working families, and a relentless force for social and economic justice.

May her example continue to inspire future generations in the ongoing fight for workers’ rights and human dignity. Lillian leaves behind her three sons: Carl Smith (Wife, Patrice), Ralonzo Smith (Partner, Ophelia) and Ivan Smith (Wife, Renée); several nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends and colleagues. May she rest in power. 

A gathering & visitation will be held at Frank E. Campbell - The Funeral Chapel, 1076 Madison Ave, NYC, on July 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

A service will begin at 12:00 pm, with live stream available at https://memorialstream.online/lillian-roberts

The interment will be private.

The celebration of her life will continue at 3:00 pm with a repass at District Council 37, 125 Barclay Street, NYC, (212) 815-1000.