Gail Colburn believed in the power of a union, the dignity of every worker, and the importance of lifting others up along the way.
A passionate and fearless advocate for working people, Gail spent her career standing up for others and empowering them to stand up for themselves. She was a leader, a mentor, and a friend to many, and had a special place in her heart for Education Support Professionals.
A Trailblazer for ESPs
She started her career at the University of Rhode Island working in medical records. At URI, her union involvement began, eventually rising to serve as president of the URI ACT, now called ESP of URI. This commitment sparked a remarkable series of firsts.
She became the first ESP elected to statewide NEARI office, a founder of the NEARI ESP Caucus, and eventually became one of the first ESP members in the nation to be hired as an Assistant Executive Director, UniServ.
Gail worked as a UniServ at NEARI, continuing her zealous advocacy for members, until illness prevented her from continuing.
Rise with the Ranks, Not from the Ranks
But leadership, titles, and recognition were of no concern to Gail. She believed deeply in a “rise with the ranks, not from the ranks” advocacy. Her greatest achievements were not the doors she opened for herself, but the ones she held open for others.
Gail passed away on March 8, 2016, International Working Women’s Day. Her legacy lives on in the union she helped strengthen and the many members and leaders she inspired.
An Award that Honors Her Legacy
The NEARI Gail Colburn ESP of the Year Award honors an Education Support Professional who embodies Gail’s extraordinary spirit – someone who leads with empathy, advocates fearlessly, empowers others to find their voice, and works tirelessly to strengthen their union and community.
