Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Profiles: Emmelle Israel

For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year, the AFL-CIO is spotlighting various Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have worked and continue to work at the intersection of civil and labor rights in the United States. Today’s profile is Emmelle Israel of the United Autoworkers (UAW).

Emmelle Israel is a doctoral student at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Her research focuses on the historical and contemporary impact of labor unions and guilds in the media and entertainment industries, labor organizing in tech and digital media workplaces, and cultural representations of work, labor and unions in popular culture. Prior to studying at UCLA, Israel spent several years working as a communications specialist for unions and labor federations in the U.S. In her current studies, she seeks to pursue projects that build upon her past experiences in the labor movement and contribute to the larger body of scholarship that increases visibility and deepens understanding of working conditions and worker activism.