Blog Post
Our union is deeply saddened by the passing of our SEIU family member Luisa Blue, a courageous labor movement leader, nurse, trailblazer and fierce champion for working people. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Luisa’s loved ones.
As trustee of SEIU Local 1107, she led a movement to empower our members, organized caregivers and advanced a vision of uniting our communities to raise standards for all working Nevadans. Among her many achievements, she was the highest elected officer of SEIU Local 521 and the first Asian American Pacific Islander elected as an Executive Vice President for our international union. She also served on President Biden’s Advisory Commission on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders.
Luisa was extremely involved in civil rights activism and joined the labor movement in 1977 as a critical care nurse at San Francisco General Hospital, helping to win expanded rights for nurses. During the height of the AIDS crisis, she helped SEIU win national legislation on blood borne pathogens and safe needle handling, protecting both patients and healthcare workers.
We will carry Luisa’s legacy and spirit forward as we continue to advocate for quality services and good jobs for all working people. May she rest in power.