By Catherine PughSpecial to the AFRO
Glenard Middleton Sr., the longtime Baltimore union chief, died Nov. 7, whereas in hospice care.
Middleton solidified his place within the coronary heart of Attraction Metropolis together with his dedication to combating for Maryland’s working class.
He was first elected to the highest place of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Staff (AFSCME) Council 67 and president of native 44, in 1987. He additionally served on the chief board of the AFL-CIO’s Maritime Trades Division, in 2013, a place he held till his retirement in 2023.
“He was a pacesetter amongst leaders,” mentioned Courtney L. Jenkins, “and devoted his life to combating for public staff and union members.”
Middleton was a fighter who acquired quite a few accolades. The constructing he bought for the union underneath his management, at 1410 Bush Road in Baltimore, is known as in his honor. The constructing represents the primary time a Baltimore union owned its place of operation.
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Middleton has a avenue named after him in Turner Station, “Glenard Middleton Court docket,” and the Sollers Level Multipurpose Heart has an exhibit displaying his years of service. Final yr, on the Legacy Affair, held Sept. 28, 2023 at Martin’s Valley Mansion in his honor, Middleton was capable of actually perceive his affect when union co-workers, leaders, family and friends had been capable of pay tribute to him.
Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07) took time to talk with the AFRO about Middleton’s character.
“His work ethic and sense of equity led to him turning into a forceful, efficient labor chief and civil rights advocate,” he mentioned. “Glen liked his household, cherished his associates and didn’t undergo fools calmly. He defied the limitlessness of others’ expectations, and for that we’re higher for having identified him.”
To others, he may need been the union man from Baltimore, however Middleton’s most vital titles had been “husband” and “father.”
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Councilwoman Sharon Inexperienced Middleton, who has served as vp of the Baltimore Metropolis Council since 2016, additionally represents Baltimore Metropolis’s sixth District. However lengthy earlier than she reported to Metropolis Corridor, she married Glenard Middleton. The yr was 1979.
“I met him when he was a jail guard, a job he labored at for 18 years,” recalled the councilwoman, in an AFRO interview.
Through the years, the 2 confronted numerous battles collectively whereas elevating a household and rising by means of the ranks of their particular person careers.
“He got here house sooner or later and informed me he had been fired for being late. I informed him he higher get a job. I don’t know what he mentioned, however the subsequent day he was rehired. I used to be informed…that’s when he turned observed. It was how he stood up for himself that drew the eye of his mentors. They determined he ought to run to signify the employees on the jail and he gained. The remaining is historical past,” she mentioned.
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Present president of the Metropolis Council Nick Mosby, spoke about Middleton’s relentless spirit.
“He was a tireless advocate for working-class rights, all the time talking for the unvoiced,” says Mosby.“Glen Middleton was a unprecedented soul that devoted his life to his household, his group and the town.”
Middleton might have been a hometown hero- however he was additionally a loving father.
“He made time for me,” Glenard Middleton Jr. informed the AFRO.“He taught me how you can be a person, and so his demise is a reminder to me to stay a lifetime of service–like he did.”
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Glenard Middleton Jr. spoke in regards to the fond recollections he had together with his father.
“I used to be all the time the envy of each child throughout baseball season. My dad would take me out of faculty so I’d by no means miss Opening Day,” he mentioned.
Relations say Middleton’s presence will likely be missed- particularly at dinner time.
“On the finish of daily, Glen would name and ask what would you like for dinner and if he wasn’t bringing it house he’d persuade me we had been going to Tio Pepe’s –his favourite restaurant,” mentioned Councilwoman Middleton.
The councilwoman mentioned her husband was all the time her primary supporter when it got here to her work in serving to the Metropolis of Baltimore and its residents.
“I used to be all the time supportive of Glen’s work as a union consultant,” she mentioned. “He simply liked serving to folks and combating for employee’s rights. My fondest reminiscence was our dialogue round me making use of for the town council seat.”
On the time, a seat was vacated by former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake when she moved to the presidency of the Metropolis Council. Sheila Dixon stepped as much as the position of mayor to serve the remaining time period of Mayor O’Malley, who was sworn in as governor of Maryland in January of 2007.
“‘You recognize what to do. You might be doing the work,’” Councilwoman Middleton remembers her husband saying. “That was 17 years in the past.”
Glenard Middleton is survived by his spouse, Councilwoman Sharon Middleton; His kids, daughters Otesa Miles and Anika Middleton, and his son Glenard Middleton Jr.; Two brothers Jimm Middleton, James Queen; A number of grandsons: Jazz Miles, Jace Miles, Justin Miles, Ryan Crowder, Che Evans and his grand nephew, Carter Crowder.
All funeral associated companies will happen at Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, situated at 4217-4221 Primrose Avenue in Baltimore.
Viewing Providers will likely be held on Nov. 21, from 4 p.m. till 7 p.m. The wake will happen, November 22, 2024, from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m. Funeral Providers will start promptly at 11 a.m.
The household has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Glenard Middleton Scholarship Fund that are being accepted by Native 44 AFSCME.
For additional data name: 410-837-7278.
