A plaque inscribed with the names of 39 state Department of Taxation and Finance workers who were killed in the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) lost five members who worked in the World Trade Center for the state Department of Taxation and Finance in the attacks.
New York Governor George Pataki speaks to state Tax Department workers in New York City following the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)lost five members who worked in the World Trade Center for the state Department of Taxation and Finance in the attacks.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue and CSEA Western Region President Flo Tripi, centered behind a Monroe County banner, leading a contingent of CSEA members in the 2001 Rochester Labor Parade in Rochester, New York. The CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members and children march with a sign stating, "CSEA, Americans United" at the Albany labor Parade in honor of the September 2001 victims of the World Trade Center, just weeks following the tragic events.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members and members of the Albany/Capital District Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) march with a banner at the Albany labor Parade in honor of the September 2001 victims of the World Trade Center, just weeks following the tragic events.
State Emergency Management Office workers were among many Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members who assisted directly or indirectly in rescue and recovery efforts following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Town of Hempstead Bay Constables arrive on the scene of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. The Bay Constables were among many Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members who assisted with rescue and recovery efforts in the early days following the attacks.
NY Guard Major Bob Peace, Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) activist Micki Thoms, NY Guard Capt. Mike Wilson, NY Guard Major Denis Uminski, and Hudson River Psychiatric Center Local President Judy Watts-Devine move relief supplies. Two vacant buildings at the Hudson River Psychiatric Center's Poughkeepsie campus became a staging facility for relief supplies when other facilities in New York City filled quickly following the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks.
Two Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members give the thumbs up as they watch checks being printed out at the pension check printing at the NYS audit and control facility in East Greenbush, NY in September 2001. The checks for the first time reflected a Cost of living Adjustment (COLA), a long sought CSEA legislative goal which was enacted by the legislature and signed into law by Governor George Pataki in 2000. New York State Comptroller Carl McCall was also instrumental in the legislation.
United States Senator Chuck Schumer greets Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members Rosemary Hampton and Frank Cosentino among others at the New York City Labor Parade in September 2001. Chuck Schumer represents New York in the United States Senate.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members march with CSEA flags and a CSEA banner at a New York City Labor Parade in September 2001.
United States Senator Chuck Schumer wears a sash reading, "official" at a New York City Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Labor Parade in September 2001. Chuck Schumer represents the state of New York in the United States Senate.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members march while playing the tuba, drums, and trumpet at a New York City Labor Parade in September 2001.
Unidentified Civil Servicen Employees Association (CSEA) Local 660 members march with a banner at the Albany Labor Parade in honor of the September 2001 victims of the World Trade Center, just weeks following the tragic events.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue shakes hands with an unidentified PEF member while CSEA member Willie Terry looks on following the Albany Labor Parade in honor of the September 11, 2001 victims of the World Trade Center. The parade took place just weeks following the tragic events.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Albany, NY area members march with a banner stating, "God bless America" at the Albany Labor Parade in honor of the September 2001 victims of the World Trade Center. The parade took place just weeks following the tragic events.
Five Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/AFSCME members play Wheel of Fortune at the 1999 taping of "Wheels Salute to the American family" on the game show Wheel of Fortune.
Wheel of Fortune Host Pat Sajak and Vanna White welcome AFL-CIO Executive Vice president Linda Chavez-Thompson at the 1999 taping of "Wheels Salute to the Working Family" on the game show Wheel of Fortune which featured contestants that are Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members. Chavez-Thompson is a former AFSCME International Vice president and the highest ranking woman in the Labor Movement.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members and twin sisters, Marietta Brown (in green) and Maquerita Alexander (in red) of Albany, New York are congratulated by host Pat Sajak and Vanna White during a 1999 taping of "Wheel's Salute to the American Working Family" on the Wheel of Fortune. Twins Brown and Alexander won $21,695 in cash and a trailer.
Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak converses with several AFSCME members including twins and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members, Marietta Brown (in green) and Maquerita Alexander (in red), of Albany, NY, during the taping of the 1999 "Wheels Salute to the American Working Family" on the Wheel of Fortune.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members and twin sisters, Marietta Brown (in green) and Maquerita Alexander (in red) of Albany, New York are congratulated by host Pat Sajak and Vanna White during a 1999 taping of "Wheel's Salute to the American Working Family" on the Wheel of Fortune. Twins Brown and Alexander won $21,695 in cash and a trailer.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/AFSCME audience members cheer on their fellow members at the 1999 taping of "Wheel's Salute to the American Working Family" on the game show Wheel of Fortune.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members from the labor union's Metropolitan, Southern, and Long Island New York State regions marching in the 1998 New York City Labor Parade.
The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) float prior to the start of the 1998 New York City Labor Parade. The theme of the float is CSEA member's fight for fairness and respect across New York State from Montauk Point on Long Island to Niagara Falls.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members at the 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting in New York City showing their support for the Clinton-Gore ticket. 1992 Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton was a guest speaker at the event.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton, a guest speaker at the 1992 the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, making his way through the crowd and shaking hands with delegates.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton addressing the delegates to the New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton addressing the delegates at the 1992 New York State Civl Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. Applauding, from left, are CSEA Vice President Danny Donohue, AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, and CSEA President Joseph McDermott.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton addressing the delegates to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 1992 New York State Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
Presidential candidate Bill Clinton speaking with AFSCME President Gerald McEntee while making their way through the crowd at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting where both were guest speakers.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Joseph E. McDermott at the CSEA 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City where Clinton was a guest speaker.
Ms. Piggy, the mascot of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s float in the 1992 New York City Labor Day Parade. The theme of the float is Privatizing is Hogwash, making the point that CSEA members can do jobs better and more cost-effectively than private contractors. The CSEA is New York's largest union.
The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s float in the 1992 New York City Labor Day Parade. The theme of the float is Privatizing is Hogwash, making the point that CSEA members can do jobs better and more cost-effectively than private contractors.
Presidential candidate Bill Clinton speaking with AFSCME President Gerald McEntee. Both men were guest speakers at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton addressing the delegates at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting in New York City. AFSCME President Gerald McEntee, also a guest speaker, is on the left; CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott is on the right.
John F. Kennedy Jr.,a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, shaking hands with CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott.
John F. Kennedy Jr., a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, shaking hands with CSEA New York City State Employees Local 10 President Vincent Martusciello as CSEA Labor Education Action Program Director Ira Baumgarten looks on.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Statewide Secretary Irene Carr with John F. Kennedy Jr. during the 1992 CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City at which Kennedy was a guest speaker. The CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton addressing the delegates at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. CSEA Vice President Danny Donohue is on the left.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton addressing the delegates to the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. CSEA Vice President Danny Donohue is on the left and CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott is on the right.
John F. Kennedy Jr. making his was through the crowd to address the delegates at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting. Behind him is CSEA Labor Education Action Program Director Ira Baumgarten. Ahead of Mr Kennedy is CSEA Long Island State Employees Local 16 President Tom Byrne.
Presidential candidate Bill Clinton, a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, pictured with Western Region President Bob Lattimer (far left) and CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott.
Presidential candidate Bill Clinton shaking hands with Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio at the 1992 New York State Civil Service employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. Clinton was a guest speaker at the event. Behind Clinton is CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton, a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, shaking hands with an unidentified delegate. AFSCME President Gerald McEntee is pictured on the left; Metropolitan Region President George Boncoraglio is on the right. Behind Clinton is CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott.
AFSCME President Gerald McEntee addressing the delegates at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 1992 New York State Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. Seated from left to right are Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton, a guest speaker at the meeting, CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott and CSEA Secretary Irene Carr.
John F. Kennedy Jr. addressing the delegates at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton addressing the delegates to the New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 1992 Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
Unidentified Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members from the union's Metropolitan, Southern, and Long Island New York State regions marching in the 1992 New York City Labor Day Parade. The CSEA is New York's largest union.
Archbishop Cardinal John O'Conner of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York posing with children of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members following the New York City Labor Day Parade.
John F. Kennedy Jr., a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, shaking hands with CSEA New York State Psychiatric Institute Local 419 President Tony Bailous.
John F. Kennedy Jr., a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, posing with CSEA members Carol Backstrom of the Bronx Psychiatric Center Local, Candy Saxon of the Niagara County Local and Diane Lucchesi of the SUNY New Paltz Local.
Presidential candidate Bill Clinton, a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City, pictured with CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott. CSEA Statewide Secretary Irene Carr is seated on the right.
New York City Mayor David Dinkins shaking hands with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Joseph E. McDermott. Dinkins was a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State CSEA Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
New York City Mayor David Dinkins addressing the delegates at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting.
John F. Kennedy Jr., a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting, shaking hands with CSEA Brooklyn Developmental Center Local Delegate James Gripper.
An unidentified young supporter of Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) 1992 New York State Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
New York City Mayor David Dinkins, pictured here with Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 010 President Vincent Martusciello (right), was a guest speaker at the CSEA 1992 New York State Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City.
Presidential Candidate Bill Clinton, a guest speaker at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. In this photograph Clinton makes his way through the crowd, shaking hands with delegates.
AFSCME President Gerald McEntee addressing the delegates at the 1992 New York State Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Annual Delegates Meeting held in New York City. Seated from left to right are Presidential candidate Bill Clinton, a guest speaker at the meeting, and CSEA President Joseph E. McDermott.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Local 505 members working on a prize winning float for the 1st annual Central New York Labor Council Labor Solidarity Parade in Utica, New York, September 12, 1991. More than 100 CSEA Central Region activists participated in the event. The CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Candidates for top office in the State Administration were guest speakers during the 60h annual meeting of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) in Buffalo. NY. Governor Nelson Rockefeller is seen at left along with fellow Republican, Attorney General Louis Lefkowitz, center, and Dr. Theodore Wenzl, CSEA president.
Dr. Theodore C. Wenzl, president of the Civil Service Employees Association, is shown receiving the keys to a 1971 Chevrolet Camaro from S. M. Weiss, general manager of De Russo Chevrolet in Saratoga Springs, New York. The Camaro is the number one prize in CSEAs Super Sign-Up Season membership drive jackpot. Other prizes in the Super Jackpot include ten RCA color TV sets, five Panasonic stereo receivers and 50 Helbros wrist watches. The gigantic membership drive will be conducted throughout New York State during the eight-week period of Oct. 1 to Nov. 27. CSEA added 17,500 members during the contest.
Candidates for top office in the State administration were guest speakers during the 60th annual meeting of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) in Buffalo. CSEA President Theodore Wenzl is flanked by Arthur Goldberg, Democratic candidate for governor and one of his running mates, State Comptroller Arthur Levitt. Goldberg was a former U.S. Supreme Court Justice and United Nations Ambassador.
Rather than simply explain the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s Super Sign-up Season membership drive to the delegates at the Annual Meeting in Buffalo, CSEA's Public Relations Department and the advertising agency Van de Car, de Porte and Johnson presented a 30-minute parody of "The Honeymooners" during which "Ralph" explains to "Norton" how they will clean up when the drive gets under way. In the picture, left to right: Carmen Sgarlata playing the role of Ralph Cramden; Marilyn Jackson as Trixie; Betsy Morray of Van de Car, de Porte and Johnson, director of the show; Marvin Nailor as Norton; Mary Beth Corbett as Alice. The script was written by Bud Johnson of the agency.
SIGNED UP YET? - That is the question Eileen DeGeorge and other active Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members will be asking the many thousands of eligible non-members during CSEAs eight-week Super Sign-Up period. DeGeorge is shown holding a button toward the photographer. CSEA added 17,500 members during the contest.
Rockefeller And Goldberg campaign at a convention, seen here listening to one of the speech makers at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) delegate session are, seated, Dr. Theodore C. Wenzl, CSEA president, Solomon Bendet, CSEA second vice-president, Governor Nelson A. Rockefeller and, standing, Irving Flaumenbaum, CSEA first vice-president.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members and children wave to the camera at the First Annual CSEA Tax and Finance Local 460 Community Awareness Day on August 16, 1994 in Brooklyn.
The State Department of Transportation Region 2 Chapter of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) recently, for the eighth consecutive time, elected Nicholas J. Cimino president. New officers were installed by CSEA field representative Ted Modrzejewski, at right, standing. Others were, from left, seated: Beatruce Spatto, financial secretary; James Conley, treasurer, and Ann Smith, secretary; standing, from right, Charles Whitney, second vice president; Nicholas V. Serio, first vice president; and Cimino. Courtesy of CSEA Utica State Employees Local (formerly Oneida County Chapter).
New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, left, with United States Senator Hillary Clinton and Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue at the CSEA announcement of CSEA's endorsement of Clinton for president of the United States.
Senator Hillary Clinton signs an autograph for a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) supporter at the announcement of CSEA's endorsement of Clinton for president of the United States.
Enthusiastic supporters greet United States Senator Hillary Clinton at the announcement of Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s edorsement of Clinton for president of the United States.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Central Region President Ginger Sheffey greeting United States Senator Hillary Clinton at a luncheon during the New York State Fair in Syracuse. CSEA announced its endorsement of Clinton as the 2008 presidential candidate earlier in August. CSEA is New York State's largest union.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, New York City Police Department Inspector Jim Keogh, left, and Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson meet with members concerned about workplace safety at Bronx Psychiatric Center as a follow-up by State Assemblyman and Mental Health Committee Chair Peter Rivera addressing worker concerns at one of the most dangerous places to work in the state Office of Mental Health system.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) New York State Bridge Authority Local member David Morgan performs maintenance on the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Highlands. September is Disaster Preparedness Month but CSEA members across the state are constantly prepared for emergencies and are making sure drinking water is safe, bridges are strong and roads are clear.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members, Glendale (Home) Housekeeping staff, left to right, Diana Gannon, Anna Conyers, Mina Aini and Susan Nichols show their support of the county's plan to build a new county nursing facility for county residents, at a recent meeting of the Schenectady County Legislature.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) cartoon, in recognition of September as Disaster Preparedness Month, depicting a CSEA member practicing safety first on New York's infrastructure.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Webster New York highway department maintenance mechanic Sue Trottier and Foreman Joe Herbst, along with co-workers, have taken Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) training as part of the towns disaster preparedness. CSEA members across the state work every day to make sure our roads are safe, our drinking water is clean and our state and local governments deliver vital services.
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center workers demonstrate outside the facility with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) rat in the background. The CSEA members are fighting on-the-job violence, overtime issues and short staffing.
United States Senator Hillary Clinton autographing a Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) sign supporting her at the union's booth at the New York State Fair. Central Region President Ginger Sheffey, far left, back row, is among the CSEA activists and officers looking on. CSEA announced its endorsement of Clinton as the 2008 presidential candidate earlier in August, 2007.
State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, left, joins Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue and members from the State Contract Negotiating Team during CSEA Night at a Tri-City ValleyCats baseball game in Troy, NY.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Christopher Kruse works with water meters at his Ossining (New York) village work site. He recently earned statewide honors for saving a woman's life during a house fire.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Ernie Feeney, shown here beside a New York State Thruway Authority Bridge Patrol truck, is responsible for the safety of thousands of Tappan Zee Bridge commuters. Feeney, a bridge supervisor for the Thruway Authority's Tappan Zee Bridge Patrol, rescued an 18-year-old woman contemplating a deadly jump into the Hudson River.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Capital Region members met with United States Representative Kirsten Gillibrand to thank her for voting in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, as well as for her support of working people in the 20th Congressional District, which covers parts of the Capital District, Hudson Valley and North Country. Shown from left are Gillibrand, Greene County Local President and Federal Political Action Liaison George Greiner, Saratoga Springs City Hall Unit President Katherine Moran and Saratoga County Local President and Federal Political Action Liaison Ron Revers.
United States Senator Hillary Clinton appeared at the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)'s endorsement announcement of her as the 2008 presidential candidate. CSEA President Danny Donohue said she is the right candidate at a moment of great need.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) New York State Bridge Authority Local member David Hawkins works on bridge maintenance recently. CSEA members across the state perform similar work keeping New Yorks bridge's safe.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Delaware County, NY bridge engineer Tom Markus welding the "wing wall" of a County Route 47 culvert in Tompkins. CSEA members in the Capital, Central, and Southern regions are working hard to help rebuild the flood-devastated infrastructure.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue, left, and Retiree Division Chair Charles Peritore, right, congratulating Harold Price, center, on winning the Retiree Mission Achievement Award at the 2006 Retirees Delegates Meeting in Syracuse, New York. Price serves as vice president of the New York Metropolitan Retirees Local. He retired in 1985 from 31 years of service at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member Terrance Hinkle and Louis Rouse transport patients to and from their treatment procedures at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) retiree member Mary Palmer sitting outside her flood-damaged Sidney, New York home showing one of several rejection letters she's received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, from which she's requested assistance. Palmer's frustrations and losses mirror those of hundreds of CSEA members, family, and friends who were affected by the severe late June flooding across much of the Southern, Capital and Central regions of New York State.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) President Danny Donohue poses at a Saratoga Springs, New York event sponsored by the Foundation of Advocacy for Mental Health along with Tom O'Clair of Rotterdam, State Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, former New York First Lady Matilda Cuomo, and New York State Sen. Majority Leader Joseph Bruno. Donohue and Cuomo are both members of the foundations board. O'Clair is the father of Timothy O'Clair, whose suicide sparked the effort to pass Timothy's Law, which would require health insurance companies to cover mental illness like other illnesses. CSEA has supported the legislation, which lawmakers expect to approve later this year.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) member, Delaware County, NY heavy equipment operator Terry Constable rebuilding the shoulders of County Route 4 near Tompkins. CSEA members in the Capital, Central, and Southern regions are working hard to help rebuild flood-devastated infrastructure.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) members posing. Several weeks after severe flooding affected hundreds of CSEA members across Central New York State's Southern Tier, CSEA Central Region leaders and activists were helping with flood relief efforts. CSEA Madison County White Collar Unit members worked with administrative staff to collect food and school supplies for flood victims. They also raised money by paying to participate in a "jeans day" at work. Pictured standing are: Linda Jackson, confidential secretary to the Commissioner of Social Services, Russell Stewart, CSEA White Collar Unit president, Karen Bright, CSEA member. Kneeling are CSEA members Tiffany Canning and Jonel Stanhope.
Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) Binghamton, NY Area Retirees Local President Olga White as she tells of her losses after Southern Tier flooding. White had no flood insurance and said the FEMA assistance wouldn't cover all her costs, but overall White said the aftermath of the flood left her with a postive outlook. "My priorities have shifted and now I don't pay attention so much to material things. The response I had from people I didn't even know was awesome."