Charles E. Bridgemon
SEIU Local 1 Executive Vice President

Charles Edward Bridgemon has worked in the labor movement and has fought tirelessly for racial justice, equality, and an inclusive society for more than 40 years. Fondly referred to as SEIU Local 1's in-house Deacon, he strongly advocates for civil rights for all people regardless of race, gender, physical and mental abilities, or preference.

Born and raised in Mississippi, Charles is the eighth of 10 children. Since he could remember, his faith in God was always steeped in his heart and spirit. Charles has relied on his faith and shares his compassion for others throughout his life.

After graduating from Northwest Mississippi Community College with an Associate's Degree in Applied Sciences, Charles moved to Waukegan, Illinois, to accept a position at North Chicago Refiners. In 1979, Charles joined the First Baptist Church, where he currently serves as Deacon and Trustee. A year later, he was elected President of SEIU Local 109, which Charles held for 21 years. During this time, he served as first Vice President of the Lake County AFL-CIO Central Trade Council, and in 1989 was elected President of the North Chicago NAACP, where he served in this capacity until 2000.

During his tenure at NAACP, Charles worked incessantly to ensure that the staff was racially and professionally diverse, adding attorneys, school teachers, doctors, and other professional positions. He started the NAACP's first weekly radio talk show that addressed subjects including discrimination, disparate treatment, and other issues. In addition, Charles, his staff, and county residents held a protest demanding the resignation of the district director for practicing discriminatory activities. During his leadership, membership nearly doubled, and Charles was responsible for establishing the then newly named Lake County Branch of the NAACP.

Charles worked with Congressman Bobby Rush to resolve high-profile cases involving the U.S. Naval Station Great Lakes and as well as other matters. He revived the Academic Cultural Technological and Scientific Olympics program (ACT-SO) and received the NAACP's Man of the Year Award.

In 2001, SEIU Local 109 merged with SEIU Local 1, a union representing 50,000 property service workers in six states in the Midwest. Charles was named Vice President and Director of the Allied Division and served in that position until his promotion to Executive Vice President.

Charles went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Southern Illinois University. Despite the numerous awards and accolades throughout his career, he considers his most significant accomplishments to be his relationship with God and his 40-year marriage to his wife, Vanzetta, and their five daughters.