Jessie Lambert to Receive Union Steward of the Year Award

This year’s Union Steward of the Year Award goes to Maine State Nurses Association member Jessie Lambert for her fearless advocacy, relentless organizing, and deep compassion toward the members she serves.

“There is no wrong she is unwilling to help a member make right, and there is no one she backs down from when defending our contract, our profession, or our community,” said MSNA Co-President Erin Oberson in her nomination of Lambert. “What makes Jessie extraordinary is not just the intensity of her commitment, but the consistency of it.”

During the eight exhausting months of negotiations at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor recently, Oberson said Lambert regularly met with nursing units during nights and weekends to keep members informed and connected.

“Those conversations mattered. She reached nurses who are often asleep while the rest of us are awake, making sure every member felt seen, heard, and included in the process,” said Oberson. “She did this while working days at the Brewer campus and raising two young children — a reflection of the dedication and sacrifice she brings to union work every single day.”

Oberson called Lambert “one of the most skilled organizers” she has ever worked with. She is constantly building relationships with members and identifying future leaders, usually with a running list of members she has already recruited for the next steward training before one is even scheduled. She understands that a strong union depends on developing strong stewards, and she is always thinking about how to grow the union’s collective power.

“What truly sets Jessie apart is her ability to balance the big picture with meticulous attention to detail,” said Oberson. “Whether drafting or reviewing contract proposals, she consistently centered the impact on the entire membership before considering herself or her own unit. She approaches every decision with fairness, intelligence, and a genuine commitment to solidarity.

Oberson said Lambert is also the unofficial “Chief Master Copy Editor” of the MSNA Unit 1 bargaining team and helped write “clear, strong, and informative” bargaining updates during recent negotiations.

“I really could go on and on giving examples of her awesomeness in action because she truly is one of the best people I know. But the bottom line is this: Jessie’s leadership makes our union stronger. Her courage inspires confidence, her compassion builds trust, and her tireless work improves the lives of nurses across our entire organization. She is more than deserving of recognition as Union Steward of the Year.”