Jan. 23, 2025

Dear Editor,

For almost 30-years I have been an adjunct faculty member in the CA community college system. I have, at times, had another full-time job that paid benefits, but for most of this time (21-years) I was married and received my health insurance through my spouse’s benefits.

In December 2024 I was divorced. For the year or two leading up to this I was stressed about so many different things – all very real. How would I be able to afford to stay in my home? How can I survive this heartache? How can I protect my daughter? How will I keep health insurance? These all loomed large.  Would I need to quit all my contracting jobs and look for full time teaching? Would I even want to teach full time?

As the divorce got closer, the Union continued to fight for part time health benefits. The month before I was divorced, I was able to get myself onto the CSM Kaiser plan. This has been life-changing for me, as I know it has been for so many others.

Thank you for your advocacy, and please pass along my heartfelt gratitude to all those others at the Union who made this happen.

Donna McCabe

Assistant Professor, Digital Media, College of San Mateo