JOANNA

 “I thank God every day for my job and don’t take it for granted. I think it’s important to take pride in what a person does at their job, respect others and be respected. That’s what I try to do every day at my job." 

 Working in the garment industry runs in the family for Joanna. Her husband, brother, son, sisters, and aunts have all worked at clothing factories. She started working in the industry in 1989. In her current role at Dignity Apparel Tennessee, she helps other sewers hone their craft and succeed. Some of her other duties include operating the hemmer and expediting production.

“I enjoy the people who I get to work beside every day. We’ve had some great times together over the years including our company picnics where we laughed very hard and had a lot of fun. Back in 2006, my husband got sick and eventually passed away. It was a very difficult time in my life. I was able to take time off work to care for him and get through that period in my life. The way I was treated by the leadership here during that time made me want to come back to work when I was ready.”

Joanna is trustworthy and dependable. Her skills at problem solving make her a very important part of the daily operations at the factory. Often, she stays after hours to ensure everything is ready to go the next morning for sewing operations. The hardships she’s experienced in her life have helped her be an empathic person towards others.