I.B.E.W. Jonnie Dawson
Charitable Foundation
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
In Memoriam: Jonnie Dawson
On the morning of Tuesday, April 22, 2008, Jonnie Dawson, Assistant Business Manager of IBEW Local 1288, passed away.
We were truly fortunate to have had Jonnie in our lives. A remarkable individual and a tireless advocate for justice, she championed the rights of all, including the customers of MLGW. Generous to the core, Jonnie contributed to numerous charities and always made time for those in need. She was the rare kind of person who comes along once in a lifetime—someone who believed deeply in the inherent goodness of others.
As one of God’s children, she has now gone to be with Him. Yet she will continue to live on in each of us who had the privilege of knowing her. For those blessed to have called her a colleague and friend, her memory will never fade.
We are all richer for having known and loved her. It was her great joy and honor to serve the membership of Local 1288.
Jonnie Dawson is truly someone worthy of remembrance.
About Sister Jonnie Dawson
Sister Jonnie Dawson has been given the honor of being named a recipient of the GILLESPIE-ARMMER Award.”
Jonnie had an exceptional ability to identify the root of any problem and deliver effective solutions—making her an invaluable asset to MLGW, IBEW, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was unwavering in her commitment to defending the rights of others, skillfully addressing discrepancies with tact, diplomacy, integrity, loyalty, dignity, and grace. She consistently performed her duties with excellence, routinely going above and beyond expectations.
Thanks to her outstanding organizing skills, IBEW Local 1288 achieved a record-breaking number of new members—the highest in its history.
Sister Jonnie Dawson began her career at MLGW in 1979 as a Keypunch Operator. Within a year, she was promoted to Service Advisor. From the start, it was clear she had a natural talent for building relationships, demonstrated professionalism, and showed unwavering dedication to supporting MLGW employees. In June 2001, recognizing these qualities, I appointed Jonnie Dawson as my Assistant Business Manager—one of the best decisions I ever made for IBEW Local 1288.
The GILLESPIE-ARMMER Award was established to honor the legacy of two great pioneers, Harold K. Gillespie, Jr. and Lonzofa Armmer, "...for the sole purpose of recognizing those individuals who have given unselfishly of themselves toward the betterment of the Local Union." Sister Jonnie Dawson truly embodied these values and was clearly deserving of this recognition.
On Tuesday, April 29th, both before and after her funeral, the depth of Sister Dawson’s impact became even more evident. Many spoke honestly and sincerely about her remarkable character and contributions. She was truly a soldier for justice who fought tirelessly for the rights of all.
Sister Jonnie Dawson has been given the honor of being named a recipient of the GILLESPIE-ARMMER Award. In fact, based on her extraordinary service and dedication, the IBEW Local 1288 Executive Board is proud to recognize her as the 9th honored recipient of this prestigious award since the Union’s recognition in 1970. Her impeccable reputation speaks for itself.
Inspired by Jonnie’s tenacity and unwavering spirit, we will continue to work even harder to serve you.