2013 Woman of the Year - Julie Hunter, Communication Director Virginia State AFL-CIO
Julie Hunter is a proud member and Vice President of OPEIU Local 334. She is the Communications Director for the Virginia AFL-CIO where she maintains the organization’s online presence as well as writes and creates content for the State Fed. During Virginia’s yearly elections, her work turns full-time towards the union political program.
Over the last 5 years, Julie has worked on several state, federal (and even school board) elections, all of which were the most important ones ever. She works with local unions and leaders to mobilize on issue and legislative campaigns. She’s also been involved with the AFL-CIO’s Next Up program and helped organize a young worker group (NOVA Y.E.L.L.) out of the Northern Virginia Labor Federation.
Julie completed her undergraduate degree at the College of William and Mary in 2004. Following graduation, Julie volunteered for the Virginia Democrats before working with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers as part of Labor 2004. She spent the final stretch of the campaign in Columbus, Ohio where she had her first taste of canvassing and phonebanking union members and, sadly, suffered the first political heart break.
Before joining the Virginia AFL-CIO in 2008, Julie completed her Masters degree in Communication at Wake Forest University. During the two year program, Julie focused her studies in political communication and also took courses in media production. She directed a weekly political talk show on campus. Her graduate thesis used Stephen Colbert’s 2008 presidential run in South Carolina to analyze the connection between political satire and authenticity. While at Wake Forest, Julie was elected by her peers to represent the department’s graduate students with faculty, Graduate School Association and university leaders including the Provost and Dean.
Julie enjoys traveling with family, has an unhealthy fear of sinkholes and is an aspiring foodie. She’s a lover of soccer and basset hounds- especially her pup Gunner.