November 02, 2026
Alliance for Retired Americans Mourns the Passing of Former President Barbara Easterling
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Alliance for Retired Americans mourns the passing of Barbara J. Easterling, a trailblazing labor leader and tireless advocate for working people and retirees who served as President of the Alliance from 2009 to 2015. She passed away on October 29 at the age of 93.
“Barbara Easterling dedicated her life to improving the lives of working Americans and ensuring that every person could retire with dignity and financial security,” said Robert Roach, Jr., President of the Alliance. “She understood that Social Security and Medicare are benefits Americans earn over a lifetime of work and that protecting them requires constant vigilance.”
During her six years as Alliance President, Easterling led efforts to protect Social Security from benefit cuts and privatization, strengthen Medicare, lower prescription drug prices, and ensure greater retirement security for all Americans. She believed in the power of grassroots activism and helped expand the Alliance’s reach and advocacy across the country, mobilizing older Americans to make their voices heard.
Easterling was a pioneering leader in the labor movement, rising from a telephone operator in Ohio to International Secretary-Treasurer of the Communications Workers of America. In 1995, she became the first woman to hold a national office at the AFL-CIO when she was elected Secretary-Treasurer. She also founded CWA’s Retired Members’ Council, reflecting her belief that workers should maintain a strong voice in retirement.
“Barbara never stopped fighting for working people, even after her own retirement,” said Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance. “She was a mentor to countless women, young activists, and retirees, and her determination and commitment to grassroots activism made the Alliance a stronger voice for older Americans. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and friendship, and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working alongside her.”
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Contact: Lisa Cutler, lcutler@retiredamericans.org
