Living the American Dream the Union Way

When Elizabeth Savage came to this country from Guatemala as a 17-yearold, she had a dream common to most immigrants: to live a better life.

“Our family was poor,” Savage said. “But from the time I was little, I heard about the United States and how it offered opportunities for people like me.”

When Savage, now a clerk in the floral department at Safeway in Redding, arrived in the U.S., she could barely speak English. But she learned quickly.

“I lived in Los Angeles for 20 years and worked as a housekeeper until I got married and had my two daughters,” she recalled. Savage was also determined to improve the lives of her parents and sister who remained in Guatemala.

“I promised myself I would not forget them,” Savage said. “I sent them every penny I could so they could build a home.

“By American standards, I wasn’t earning a lot, but the money I was able to send went a long way in my native country. It took more than a year but they were finally able to have a home of their own.”

In 1975, she was able to save enough to pay for her parents and sister to emigrate to the U.S. Savage and her family moved to Redding, where she worked part-time at a child care center.

A happy Elizabeth Savage holds her grandson, William Greathouse IV. Also pictured are, from left: mother Abuelita and daughters Deborah Greathouse and Jennifer Savage.

 There is no country on Earth like the United States.’

“I worked there for several years,” she said. “But after my divorce, I needed to earn more money and wanted a job with health benefits.” One of the parents at the center mentioned she had a job that paid good wages and had health benefits –– a Union job at Safeway.

Savage applied and was hired as a Courtesy Clerk. “The pay was much more than I made at the center,” Savage said. “I

can’t tell you how much that meant to a single mom with two teenage daughters.” Savage soon found out what else it means to be in a Union. “Being a Union member makes you feel like you have someone to take care of you,” she said. “Our District Union Representative is here all of the time and if I notice any problems, he doesn’t hesitate to take care of them.”

Savage became a U.S. citizen in 1987 and still gets emotional when she speaks about it. “There is no other country on Earth like the United States,” Savage said.

“Everyone has the opportunity to succeed. “On my apron at work I wear a small U.S. flag that one of my daughters made when she was in school.

I want to let everyone know how proud I am to be an American.” Savage is also proud of her children. Her youngest daughter, Debbie, served for eight years in the U.S. Navy stationed on the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis.

“Her service was a way for us to give something back to this great country,” Savage said. Her oldest daughter works as a counselor at a school for hearing impaired children.

“I was able to live a middle-class lifestyle because I have a Union job,” Savage said. “I never had to hesitate to take my children to a doctor, and when I am able to retire I will have a pension waiting for me. “I feel so blessed that I have been able to live the American Dream and have a Union job.