In our B Corporation Series we focus on B Corporations that are examples to all. We link to B Corps that are undertaking inspiring roles in creating the world we all want to see, where employees, the community and the environment are stakeholders in the decisions of the corporation.
In this week’s newsletter, the B the Change organization is putting their emphasis on the Power of Purpose. The B Corporation concept has come a great distance since the first companies certified in 2007. Today there are now more than 6,700 companies that are verified for their positive impact around the world. They range in size from small to multinational.
AMS Fulfillment is one of only a few B Corp certified fulfillment companies across the world. We became B Corporation certified in 2017. The ‘business with a purpose’ concept fit very well with what AMS had been doing with regard to employees, community and environment. We are truly proud of the free higher education we offer our employees, which is just one of the benefits our employees enjoy. Our Green Team is an example to others of what a fulfillment company can do to lessen its impact on the environment, and our community involvement goes back many years not only doing charitable work but in hiring individuals from the community who otherwise might have difficulty finding employment.
In this report, readers will look into a Champion B Corp bank that has a very long record of being purpose driven, and an inspiring story of a B Corp paying a living wage in a world where wages are not sufficient. We found these stories to be excellent examples of the Power of Purpose.
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Banking for Impact: 100 Years of Purpose-Driven Services Add Up for B Corp Bank
Amalgamated Bank Helps Customers Align Their Money with Their Values
“When the B Corporation community launched with the first companies certifying their positive impact in 2007, the concept of using business for purpose in addition to profit had been practiced by some companies for much longer. One of those is Amalgamated Bank, a B Corp that recently marked its 100th anniversary. The bank was started by women and immigrants to serve the financial needs of workers and continues to help customers align their money with their values.
“As companies and individuals look to align their values with their banking and investments, B Corp banks are an option certified for their commitment to people and the planet alongside profit. Amalgamated is one long-standing example of how banking and investment practices can be financially sound and enable customers to have a positive, values-aligned impact.”
You can read the full story about this bank’s 100 years of Purpose Driven Business HERE.
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4 Lessons from Implementing a Living Wage
B Corp Boldr Rolls Out Living Wage Goal in the Philippines
“’A rising tide lifts all boats’ is a metaphor that means when a community shows material positive improvement or grows, everyone benefits. The same way a rising tide in the ocean raises all boats, a growing economy or company is meant to benefit everyone in it, regardless of their specific circumstances. This was the kind of upliftment Boldr envisioned when we made it our goal to introduce a living wage.
“However, when we set out on a mission to pay each team member a living wage, there were a couple of knock-on effects that we did not anticipate. While these learnings presented some challenges, they did not derail our journey toward achieving a living wage in all the countries we operate in.
“All team members will be paid a living wage by the end of 2023. This was the goal we set at the beginning of the year. In the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, which historically kept wages as low as competitively possible, we committed to paying wages that enabled all team members to live dignified lives.”
You can read the full story of Boldr’s Power of Purpose, to provide a living wage to its employees HERE.
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We are proud to bring this B Corporation Series to the readers and feature B Corps that stand out as examples of businesses that commit themselves to Be the Change that we wish to see in the world. AMS publishes a Green Team blog on the work being done to reduce our environmental impact and we also publish a Safety Series on the very successful efforts being made to see to our employees’ safety.
As Betty-Lou Wiseman is leaving AMS, she takes a piece of our hearts with her. The President of AMS has been with us a long time, she has built the AMS culture perhaps more than anyone else. Betty-Lou has played many roles within the business, she has shown us what community service means, and she has shown us that yes, women can definitely lead.
Betty-Lou came to AMS in 2004 with over 15 years of experience in many aspects of fulfillment including directing Client Services. She became AMS’ Executive VP of Client Services and was promoted to President of AMS in 2019. In her years at AMS Betty-Lou mentored many individuals who today thank her sincerely for her guidance.
Over the years her service to the community was inspiring as well. She served on the Board of the SCV Domestic Violence Center and did fundraising for numerous organizations including multiple youth organizations, Senior Concerns and Single Mothers Outreach. She serves on AMS’ exemplary Volunteer Champion committee. Betty-Lou has been amazing in her service to the community.
Where is she going? AMS CEO, Jay Catlin, gives us that information in his announcement of her departure in a message to employees.
Betty-Lou has been with AMS for nearly 20 years as an incredible contributor toward our success, and someone who has embodied our giving, family-like culture from Day One. Betty-Lou has chosen to pursue a new path outside of AMS… one that will serve her community as she is looking forward to working with her husband Ken (long-time AMS CEO) on all his new ventures. I know Betty-Lou will remain connected to AMS and its people as an owner of the company and most importantly, a friend and mentor to so many. On behalf of AMS, I sincerely thank Betty-Lou for her contributions over the years and being a pillar of strength for so many along the way.
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To say a fitting farewell, we have asked several individuals that Betty-Lou worked with and inspired to speak for us, and we added a final message you will enjoy!!
Samantha Hicks – Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner
I could write a book on Betty-Lou! I don’t even know where to begin to capture the essence of how amazing this person is, how much she has accomplished as a professional woman, and the gravity of the difference she made on so many people lives and on so many different levels, from a mom to someone who lost theirs at an early age, to mentoring an entry level warehouse employee to a director, to personally helping those in need, to hosting the most fab girl bonding parties at her house, to being so humble and caring someone wouldn’t know she is the president of the company so people open up to her, this is just my observations from the top of my head. She interviewed me in 2011 and has watched my career like an angel, always supporting growth for me. She is a safe-haven for me, and I know she was for a lot of people too, which is why her leaving brings a few tears.
She taught me the “human” side of my career. She is empathetic on how situations at work make people feel, and never made people feel bad about themselves. She is the queen of building relationships. There were two sides to every coin, and she believed in the goodness of people. She stops to listen and does everything in her power to help. When you walk around the warehouses with her, she glows. People look up and smile at her, hugs & kisses and everything! She has instilled what a company culture should be, and thanks to Betty-Lou, I now know and hope to carry her legacy and make her proud.”
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Michael Gumm, Director of Client Services
When I got the chance to write a little something about Betty-Lou Wiseman, I asked myself, where do I possibly start? Should I start at the very beginning when I walked across the street to interview for an Account Manager position, and she told me that I could join her team on the spot? Should I start with the fun parties we’ve had at the Wiseman house with great food, drinks, and most importantly… friends? Maybe I’ll start by thanking her for always caring for me when my mom passed away just a few months after I started at AMS. I couldn’t believe the way that Betty-Lou put her heart out and took me in as a son, when I was only 22 years old, with much confusion, anger, and growing up to do both inside and outside the workplace. Perhaps the best spot would be to thank her for showing me what it was to be true to herself, her family, her co-workers, her teams, no matter what the situation.
I could probably start with any of these points, but the truth is, I would always end up at the very same conclusion by the time I got to the end of my note. That being, that Betty-Lou is a person who you’ll only find once in a lifetime. She’s a once in a lifetime boss, mother, friend, wife, president, golfer, philanthropist, and absolutely incredible human that you’d be lucky to have spent time with. Betty-Lou can light up a room with laughter, good stories, and energy just by sitting down and eating some lunch. She has an energy and spirit about her that makes everyone in the room gather around and want to have a conversation with.
Folks who have worked for Betty-Lou know that they always give their best effort when she’s in charge of a project. We give it our all when she’s around. Not because she’s strict or pushes employees towards success, but simply because you can’t help but love her and want to do your very best to make her proud, knowing that she’ll be right by your side every step of the way (regardless of the circumstances). Win or lose, profit or loss, acquisition or disengagement, Betty-Lou has your back to the end. It is with much sorrow and excitement (at the very same time) that I will muster up the courage to say goodbye to her at AMS. Tears start building up every time I think about her retirement, but they are happy tears that represent all the great memories, the great achievements, the great fun we’ve had over the past 15 years.
The crazy part about this long ride is that it never really felt too much like work when Betty-Lou was at the helm of the ship. She was and is such a great leader that you can’t help but work hard for. She never stopped being fair and true to her morals and values, even when inevitable success overwhelmed AMS over many years of growth, she held true to her job, herself, her people, and her family. She never faked the funk, and always kept it real by speaking the truth (even to the folks that couldn’t handle the truth). My keyboard is damp with happy tears as I type the end of this note to my 2nd mother Betty-Lou. There is no doubt in the world that she will be just as great of a person outside the workplace as she was inside. She worked so hard to get here and I’ll always remember how much fun we had along the way, how great of a job we did for all those clients, how many employees we made happy when they were down, how many folks we groomed and grew when they didn’t look to have much of a future, how many awesome battles we fought (and won) against the toughest businessmen and businesswomen.
Through all those endeavors, I wish you a warm and loving farewell Betty-Lou. Even though I’ll still get to see you from time to time, I’ll miss you so much at work and think of you all the time. It makes me happy to think that I can carry on so many great things that you taught me along the way: staying true to morals, taking the fair pathway, even if it’s a challenging one, sharing good virtues to team members, leading by example, sticking up for yourself when you know it’s right, fighting for the quiet ones who can’t fight for themselves, staying positive during the tough times, and always showing up with a smile and a good attitude. Love you Betty-Lou and will always have you in my heart. Thank you for believing in a young stubborn boy and always being there for me, rain or shine. It was a great blessing to get to work for you for all these years.
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Justin Wiseman – Director of Operations WIT 2 (and son of Betty-Lou and Ken Wiseman)
It’s with a heavy heart that my mom Betty-Lou Wiseman is moving on from AMS. Our company has been built on a platform where our employees are #1. It’s one of the most important things my mom and dad taught me. If you speak to any of our WIT2 employees they will feel the same way. We are the AMS family. We all spend more time with each other than we do with our own families. That being said I’ve been a lucky guy to work with my Mom and Dad for 20 years and help build this company to what it is today.
My Mom has been a pivotal human in the organization and representation of our company. She has stuck by everyone and is always a “mom” when you need her. Overall I did my best to “not” work with Betty-Lou because than means there would be escalation and in my workplace and world that doesn’t happen.
I have learned from my family how to treat all people honestly and as equals. Never put anyone down. Work with people. Understand someone might be dealing with outside things and to be empathetic and realize life’s not always perfect. My Mom will be missed so much from our company. She’s not just my mom. She’s the AMS mom. I’m really glad I got to share the best Mom in the world with so many others. Her grace and the way she can fix anything is irreplaceable. Love you Betty-Lou. You’re not only an awesome mom but a great boss, role model, and just an overall super human whom I have so much respect for.
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We will end this writing with a message sent to us by Ken Wiseman, former AMS CEO and the ‘one and only one’ who could take Betty-Lou away from us!
Hello AMS!
I got word that a few people are sharing their thoughts about Betty-Lou leaving AMS. I thought I would also take a few minutes to share what her departure means to me…
While I know that Bet will be missed at AMS, it is so exciting to me to have Betty-Lou joining me once again in all of the projects we have going on in Piru. While Bet stayed on with AMS after I retired last year, to be honest, it’s been a difficult for me to see her heading off to work each day. Most that know us remember that I loved the fact that we have worked together for 44 years, 43 while married. Many recall how I sulked around on days Bet was away, and I usually didn’t go a full day without a few trips to her office to catch-up. Many also remember that at meetings, I was often pranked by team members purposely taking the seats next to Bet at meetings, but then graciously giving them up to me when my obvious disappointment prevailed.
Bet completes me. The tons of ideas gain foundation and occasional grounding when Bet gets involved. She has already been helping me on some of these projects in her spare time, but having her around full time is going to be a welcome change.
I know Bet takes great pride in the team that she has built, and has great confidence in the team’s continued success. I know she is excited to be joining me on these ventures, and while I know she will miss the team and she will always, as I have, keep the great memories close to her heart and look forward to future get togethers and updates on how everyone is doing.
So what do we have planned? Well first and importantly, more time for us and our family and friends. Being home bodies, much of that time will be spent at home and in our community. The Corazon de Piru Coffee Shop and Beer and Wine Café will be opening at the end of June. Our Mountain View Inn and Restaurant will open in August or September. We have 3-affordable housing projects underway, one for seniors, and 2 for general residential. Bet looks forward to more time with her Board position with the Santa Paula – Fillmore – Piru Boys and Girls Club and she is also excited about joining the Red Cross to train for disaster assistance and logistics for Piru. Bet has been already a big help to me with our involvement in the Piru Neighborhood Council. Relaxation will be time in our vineyard as we commercialize the vineyard and look forward to serving our wine to the Community in the Café and Restaurant. Hope to see many of you come by for a visit!
It has been a wonderful journey to have shared with our AMS family, and it has been much of what we have learned about working with people from all walks of life while at AMS, that has helped lay the path for our retirement and pursuing activities that embrace community. It’s with great joy that I welcome Bet back into my life on a full time basis!!!
Most sincerely, Ken
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Thank you Jay, Samantha, Michael, Justin and Ken. There is no way to express what Betty-Lou means to all of us, but we needed to try and send her off to her new ventures with LOVE. And it looks like we did just THAT!! Go with LOVE, Betty-Lou. We will miss you, but we know you’re in good hands!!
AMS Fulfillment is delighted to welcome our new VP of Human Resources, Lucenda (Cindy) Beeson. We are pleased and very fortunate to have Cindy join us at AMS with her skillset, training, her extensive experience in Human Resources and her knowledge of retail and distribution and employee safety. AMS looks forward to her leadership in this vital role. We are pleased as well that Cindy is aligned with our B Corporation culture, committed to our employees, our community and our world. Welcome Cindy into the AMS corporate family!
Cindy comes to AMS from Lamps Plus where she served as Vice President of Human Resources. She was responsible for Human Resources and Safety for 36 stores, and 2 large distribution centers. She served as Human Resources VP at Lamps Plus for over 12 years. During those years she enjoyed going out to the stores and working alongside the employees, assisting with inventory and product builds. Cindy began her career in Human Resources in manufacturing prior to moving to the aerospace Industry and eventually retail and distribution.
Cindy holds a BA in Human Resources from Almeda College, A six Sigma Green Belt, and she is a certified Project Manager. She spends her free time traveling with her husband in support of their philanthropic efforts. Cindy also enjoys sewing and various crafts.
AMS CEO, Jay Catlin, welcomed Cindy with these words:
“New to AMS is our VP of Human Resources, Cindy Beeson! You will all find that Cindy is an incredible fit for AMS with her commitment to ‘Do Good’ in business, her wealth of experience, and her dedication to the people who make the company run. I’m incredibly excited about the influx of talent in Human Resources at AMS, and I’m sure you all will be as well.”
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Welcome La Tanya Warren, HR Manager, AMS East
In March of 2023 LaTanya Warren joined AMS as our HR Manager, AMS East. We are so pleased and fortunate to have someone with her depth of experience in this vital position. Her ideals are aligned with our B Corporation goals and we very much look forward to working with her. LaTanya comes to AMS Fulfillment with more than 23 years of HR experience. Her experience was gained in a variety of industries, such as healthcare, non-profit, logistics and hospitality.
LaTanya gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management, and she is a Society for Human Resources Management Certified Professional. In her time at home with family, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her grandchildren.
AMS CEO, Jay Catlin, welcomed La Tanya with these words:
“I’d like to officially welcome LaTanya Warren to the Team as our new HR Manager on the East Coast! LaTanya is a tremendous new addition to our HR Team who hit the ground running for us in March. As we all know, Human Resources is a critical success area for us with our people-intensive business, and LaTanya brings a strong level of overall HR experience to the Team, including managing the challenges of seasonal spikes.”
We have spoken before about higher education at AMS, and it’s time for another report. June 6th is National Higher Education Day! This commemoration day is described as a time to recognize the importance of education in improving our lives. For just a little background, we quote from yearindays.com:
“National Higher Education Day was founded by Izamar Olaguez and Marcie Hronis in 2015. The main purpose behind celebrating this day is to motivate students to pursue higher education and make college fees affordable for all.”
AMS Partnership with College of the Canyons
AMS Fulfillment has been partnered with the SCV College of the Canyons (COC) in providing higher education to AMS Employees free of charge for more than a few years. Several years ago the company prepared and fully equipped a classroom in its HQ building, which the students named “Advance My Skills Learning Center.” Quoting from a previous article we see how the AMS relationship began with COC.
“The AMS adult education and career development programs began when a relationship was established with College of the Canyons (COC), a Santa Clarita community college. In the arrangement with COC, AMS would provide the classroom space, and COC the curriculum, instructors, materials and registration. The classes and certification programs are free to AMS employees.” The article goes on to talk about how AMS and COC created a ‘first in the US’ apprenticeship in Logistics and how AMS adapted to the COVID 19 pandemic, continuing the courses online until it was time to return to the classroom.
Schedule of Summer Classes
Recently the Summer schedule of classes was posted and it is an inspiring list with more than 100 students participating! We feel called to share the classes being offered and the excellent participation in them. All of the classes will take place in the Advance My Skills Learning Center and will be shared with remote AMS East students via Zoom.
Money Management – 11 students
ESL Advanced – 23 students
Successfully Managing Developing People – 8 students
Organizational Leadership – 16 students
Workplace Communication Strategy – 10 students
Computing and Internet Fundamentals – 20 students
Emerging Leaders – 16 students
Taking a quick look at the Fall schedule there are more exciting classes: Public Speaking, 21st Century Career Skills II and Excel Basics.
Free Higher Education is one of the benefits AMS Fulfillment offers its employees. The time in the classroom is during work hours, and paid as well. While AMS is a B Corporation, committed to employees as stakeholders in the company, AMS has embodied the spirit of the B Corporation in appreciation and support for its employees for many years.
Here is a bit more on the commemoration: “National Higher Education Day is celebrated on June 6 every year to recognize the importance of education in improving our lives. To excel in your dream job, it is important to have the latest knowledge in that field, which can be attained through higher education.”
Our B Corporation Commitment
Samantha Hicks, Corp. Culture and Org. Development Business Partner, has offered the following about our B Corporation culture, the educational opportunities we offer, and how this is foundational to AMS Fulfillment:
“As a B Corp, our top impact area is our workers, and how AMS can contribute to employees financial, professional and social well-being.
“We offer life skills training for personal development that enhances skills in employees that they can use throughout life, and cross-job function training that allows employees to learn new skills that help them better understand other departments and positions, and skills-based training to advance core job responsibilities.”
We hope that our employees are happy and fulfilled in their work at AMS Fulfillment and we are doing our best to help them learn and gain a higher education.
June is Gay Pride Month, also called Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month in recognition of the long struggle of LGBTQ individuals for the basic rights of citizenship. It takes place in June in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. This uprising was not the beginning, but it was a tipping point of the Gay Liberation Movement in the US.
During June there will be exciting and uplifting parades and celebrations in the US and elsewhere in the world commemorating the years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law. The parades and other events also serve to appreciate and celebrate the accomplishments of LGBTQ individuals. Let’s take a look at the timeline and progress.
Discrimination
The pursuit for Gay Rights goes back to 1924 when the Society of Human Rights was organized, founded in Chicago. It is the oldest documented gay rights organization in the US. The founder, Henry Gerber had served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. In Germany there was an open gay community. When he came home, he wanted to replicate it here. He faced threats and was arrested. He fought an uphill battle, and never gave up. In 2015 his house was declared a National Historic Landmark – Henry Gerber House.
Uprising
The next very significant even took place in Greenwich Village in New York City. The location was a place for young members of the LGBTQ community called the Stonewall Inn. The community was accustomed to being harassed by the police, but on this occasion, when the police began arresting employees for selling liquor without a license and roughing up the patrons there was resistance. A crowd gathered and jeered and threw coins, bottles and debris at the police. The police barricaded themselves in the bar to wait for backup and soon the crowd began rioting. Police forces dispersed the crowd but the rioters came back, off and on, outside the bar for five days. These riots came to be called the Stonewall Uprising, or Stonewall riots. This event ignited the LGBTQ movement.
Marching
A march took place in New York to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in June, 1970 that took the movement significantly forward. The idea to hold the march was discussed first at the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations in Philadelphia. Members proposed “gay power” as the slogan but the final decision was to express pride in their sexual identity and use “gay pride” as their slogan. Estimates of the number of people who marched went from 1,000 to 20,000. At the start there were a few hundred, but by the time the march ended many more people had joined in solidarity. The marchers chanted “Say it clear, say it loud. Gay is good, gay is proud.”
Recognition
Recognition was finally achieved in 1999 but it took a lot of effort to get there. The country’s first weeklong event and march commemorating Stonewall took place a year after the uprising in Chicago. Another event took place on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles that was the world’s first permitted parade advocating for gay rights. A third significant event, called a “Gay In” took place in San Francisco. These marches and events in June came to be celebrated yearly and were focused on fun, celebration and Pride. LGBTQ Pride came to be celebrated on the last Sunday in June, but official recognition did not come until June of 1999 when President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month.” “The name changed to “LGBT Pride Month” when President Obama proclaimed the new name. It was changed once again to “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month” (LGBTQ) by President Biden.
Marriage Equality
After years of marching, struggling, petitioning and fighting for equality, for civil rights and human rights, the US Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states. The year was 2015, June 26. As you can see, it took 90 years to achieve these rights. This was a monumental decision for the LGBTQ community, as it was a long time coming. The ruling meant that in all 50 states same-sex marriages must be allowed with the couples having all of the rights that the law gives to married couples.
We found a list of eight ways to celebrate LGBTQ Pride in June at Naturespath.com, and we’d like to share these suggestions with readers.
DONATE TO LGBTQ ORGANIZATIONS
ATTEND A PRIDE PARADE
PURCHASE FROM A BUSINESS THAT IS LGTBQ OWNED OR ACTIVELY SUPPORTS LGBTQ CAUSES
SHARE YOUR FAVORITE LGBTQ ART AND MUSIC
DISCOVER NEW LGBTQ FILMS, TV SHOWS AND LITERATURE
STUDY THE HISTORY OF PRIDE
BE SUPPORTIVE
PLAN A PRIDE EVENT
AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation, dedicated to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion. We welcome and appreciate all of our employees, clients and friends regardless of their sexuality, gender, religion or race. Help us celebrate this month by remembering the long, hard struggle for civil and human rights and recognizing that we still have a way to go to create the world we want to see! Happy LGBTQ Pride Month.
All across America the day is recognized both as Memorial Day and as Decoration Day. Decoration Day is the original name used for many years. Memorial/Decoration Day is a time when people visit the graves of their loved ones, clean the graves, put up flags and lay flowers.
There are parades in towns all across America and these parades often include veterans and military personnel. The tradition is to wear a red poppy flower. This poppy was inspired by a poem written at the end of World War I called “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrae. We will include the poem at the end of this writing.
Also, Memorial Day is unofficially considered the beginning of summer, and quite a few hold their first picnic or outing. Memorial Day weekend is the opportunity to enjoy a weekend with family, and maybe take a weekend trip since Monday is a holiday. So, it’s a feeling of… finally, summer is here, let’s do something!
One of the Original Memorial Day Commemorations
The first Memorial Day is claimed to have taken place in Charleston, SC within a month of the surrender of the Confederacy. The information about this commemoration is interesting and touching. Reports of it were discovered in a Harvard University archive in the late 1990s. The reports revealed that a Memorial Day commemoration was organized by a group of Black people freed from slavery less than a month before.
The story tells that there was a racetrack in Charleston where the Confederate army imprisoned Union captives. While in this prison, more than 260 Union soldiers died from disease and exposure as they were imprisoned in the open air. Their bodies were buried in a mass grave behind the grandstand. When the Confederate troops evacuated Charleston, the men and women who had been freed from slavery gave the Union soldiers a proper burial. They reinterred the bodies in a new cemetery surrounded by a tall white fence. The words inscribed on the fence were: “Martyrs of the Race Course.”
From History.com we learn more: “And then on May 1, 1865, something even more extraordinary happened. According to two reports that Blight found in The New York Tribune and The Charleston Courier, a crowd of 10,000 people, mostly freed slaves with some white missionaries, staged a parade around the race track. Three thousand Black schoolchildren carried bouquets of flowers and sang “John Brown’s Body.” Members of the famed 54th Massachusetts and other Black Union regiments were in attendance and performed double-time marches. Black ministers recited verses from the Bible.”
And there were more Commemorations
Waterloo, New York was declared by the government to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1966. The Waterloo commemoration was on May 5th, 1866. On this day the businesses closed in the city and the residents held a ceremony and decorated the graves with flowers and flags.
When the Civil War ended in 1865, with so many soldiers who had died, national cemeteries had to be established. Americans in various towns and cities, with and without national cemeteries, held tributes to the fallen soldiers in the late 1860s. They decorated the graves and recited prayers. We can conclude that Decoration Day, which became today’s Memorial Day, began in many places across the country in the years following the end of the Civil War.
Again from Military.com we read: “On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance later that month. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.
“The date of Decoration Day, as he called it, was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, and 5,000 participants decorated the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.”
World Wars I and II
In its early days Decoration Day honored soldiers who died in the Civil War, but that changed after WW I. As that war ended, and once again so many had died, the holiday evolved to commemorate those who gave their lives. And as we know, the holiday now commemorates all who gave their lives, in the Civil War, WW I, WW II, the Viet Nam War, the Korean War, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The date of Memorial Day was always May 30th.
It was in 1968 that Congress established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for federal employees.
Please enjoy Memorial Day. It is not meant to be somber and sad but is meant to show the most respect we can show, as these men and women gave their lives so that we might be able to enjoy freedom and democracy. It’s the ultimate sacrifice and we thank them.
Here below is the poem, “In Flanders Fields” written after WW I.
“In Flanders Fields”
by John McCrae, May 1915
In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
HERE you will find a YouTube video from the Gullah Geechee community in South Carolina at the location of the “Martyrs of the Race Course” commemoration.
Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of April: David S., Mayra C., Natalie L., Vanessa H., Richard G., Sarah M., Paul S., and Jolene D.
In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them.
The Employees of the Month for April have been working hard, and we’ve noticed! Congratulations to them on their outstanding performance. We are continually impressed by the results! Our employees play a crucial role in our team and the company’s success.
All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch!
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David S., Assistant Account Manager (October 2022) HQ Office, Valencia, CA
David is my nominee for Employee of the Month because he has been a great asset to AMS. He is always willing to help and is also quick to raise his hand when something is not right. He has won the clients’ trust and works great with the operations team. David has been an excellent addition to our team, we are so happy to have him on board. Thank you for all you do David and keep up the great work.
Mayra C., Operations Associate II (April 2012) HQ WH, Valencia, CA
Mayra has done an amazing job as a data entry clerk making sure all orders are ready for each department. She definitely deserves to be Employee of the Month. She is always paying attention to her work and is very detailed. Mayra always comes in to work with a positive smiling attitude and is willing to help others. She is a complete pleasure to work with. Mayra is a great person, always happy to be there and helps others with an amazing attitude. Thank You Mayra!
Natalie L., Operations Associate II (February 2021) LIV, Valencia, CA
This month I would like to nominate Natalie. She came in as a part time employee and has become the MVP on the CT team. She is always looking for more efficient ways to process orders. Natalie has taken the time to customize her cart with everything she needs. Because she is so knowledgeable in our many picking processes that we use she has become our official trainer for all new employees and when the east coast team sends someone here to be trained, she is the one to do it. We are all grateful to have her as part of our team and she definitely deserves to be Employee of the Month.
Vanessa H., Assistant Operations Manager I (July 2017) WIT, Valencia, CA
I would like to nominate Vanessa for Employee of the Month because she is always on top of her efficiency and productivity. She is super detailed and communicative. Vanessa is a pleasure to work with. She assists other departments and is overall an amazing leader and teammate. Thank You Vanessa!
Richard G., Operations Associate II (October 2022) WIL, Valencia, CA
Richard works very hard to make sure the packing goes out on time and is always helping his coworkers. He is my choice for Employee of the Month. He checks the packaging to make sure they are correct and he makes sure the assembly lines are full for production. Richard is the backbone of AMS Fulfillment. I have been patiently waiting for this moment to nominate the best employees throughout all the AMS warehouses. Richard is one of the most helpful, kind souls and outperforms more than half of the employees respectfully. Regardless of who and what the task is you just know you can count on him. No words can describe his work ethic. We really appreciate Richard!
Sarah M., Inventory Receiving Manager I (June 2017) New Castle, DE
I have chosen Sarah for Employee of the Month because she is running around NC and our new building solving inventory issues all day. She is always available, always here early and always staying late. She goes above and beyond her job function to help wherever she can. So, for that I nominate her, and my peers agree. She is a Great asset.
Paul S., Operations Supervisor I (October 2018) New Holland, PA
Paul is my choice for Employee of the Month for April. He not only is an extremely hard worker at everything he does, but he is also willing to go outside of his comfort zone to assist other departments and areas of the operation. He’s been an instrumental part of launching a very large piece of business on the East. Thanks, Paul, for your hard work!
Jolene D., Operations Associate I (May 2023) Newark, DE
Jolene has been with us before the fourth quarter and she is one of the hardest workers we have. She comes in and gets right to work, stays focused and doesn’t get in the mix with anything that doesn’t matter. She can take constructive criticism and doesn’t get upset. It motivates her to do even better than before. Jolene has a great attitude and is a pleasure to be around. Thank you, Jo, for putting forth your best efforts ALWAYS. You are our choice for Employee of the Month and you deserve it.
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To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!
There are several commemorations this month honoring and appreciating the men and women who serve or have served in the military. The first is the entire month of May! This month is a time to appreciate and honor all of our military men and women – Military Appreciation Month.
The second commemoration is May 20th – Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is a time to recognize and thank all of the US armed forces: The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of their services and they are honored as well.
The third commemoration is Memorial Day, taking place this year on Monday, May 29th, the last Monday in May. Memorial Day is a time to honor those who died while fighting in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is a somber day as we remember and thank the heroes who gave their lives in service to our freedom.
In this current writing we want to sincerely thank all AMS employees who have served in any branch of the Armed Forces.
To tell the story of what it means to serve, what is gained from service, how military service can shape the life experience of a person we thank Stephen Williams, AMS Director of Operations for agreeing to speak with us about his personal experience.
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Thank you Mr. Williams for speaking with us about your service, and how serving in the military has impacted your life.
#1 – First, could you tell us about when you joined the military and what branch of the Armed Forces you served in?
I served active duty in the United State Navy from 2010-2014. I served as a member of Amphibious Construction Battalion 2 in both Bravo and Hotel company. I currently serve in the United States Air Force Reserve as a member of the Civil Engineers in the Water Fuels and Maintenance flight.
#2 – How would you say your time in the military impacted your life and the years that followed? Did it teach you, shape you or change you?
My time in the military is special to me. I initially joined as means to serve the country. I was born in Jamaica but was raised in NYC. During my time in NYC I remember being in school during the terror attack of 9/11. I remember the initial mixed emotions I felt after the act. My fellow classmates and I were directly impacted by the attack, and that was the event that compelled me to join the military.
I joined as an enlisted member of the Navy after I graduated college. Basic training and my time served taught one characteristic that I bring with me everywhere. The concept that even in hectic situations a level head will prevail and treat each skill like a tool in your toolbox. Those lessons changed and taught me. It taught me the value of getting skills and expanding on those skills. Take those skills seriously and use them when needed.
Sometimes you only have one chance to perform a task, and those tools may be the difference between success and failure. Learning that level heads prevailed changed me. I was not a hot-tempered person, but I never saw the value in being able to defuse a situation, or use your calm to change an outcome. Boot camp and taking part in the missions of my unit helped me see the value in staying calm in pressure situations.
#3 – How would you like to see military service commemorated, i.e. what can we do to thank you and others who made this commitment to protect us and our freedoms?
I would like to see just recognition for the sacrifices service members have made, in form of a moment of silence or a kind word.
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We can definitely offer the kind word in this tribute. We thank all active and reserve military among us at AMS and throughout the country. Your willingness to serve and even give your life to defend and protect this country is noble and very deeply appreciated.
We are publishing this tribute blog on Armed Forces Day, 2023, which is May 20th. Armed Forces Day was established in 1949, led by President Harry S. Truman. The following statement from census.gov speaks for all of us:
“On Armed Forces Day, we share our unending appreciation for the proud patriots who answer the call to serve, taking the sacred oath to defend our Constitution. The brave members of our Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, and National Guard and Reserve forces represent the best of our Nation. Today and every day, we honor their immeasurable service on behalf of our grateful Nation.”
Happy Mother’s Day to all AMS Mothers!! We thank you for being working mothers, giving your time and energy to AMS. We know that motherhood has been a great skills training ground for you. We see that you do tend to have well-honed soft skills and emotional intelligence from that experience. We also see that you are very good at multitasking and time management (juggling the demands of work and home pretty well). Thank you for offering support to your co-workers where needed and being someone who can be counted on to lead and deliver.
Thank you AMS Mothers!! You’re the Best!!
Plus… Happy Mother’s Day to all Daddy Mothers – you’re spectacular, super in the role! We see you handing out the Mama love.
And… Happy Mother’s Day to all who have Mothers! Happy Mothers day to all who have Grandma Mothers – they are fantastic!! And Happy Mothers day to all who had Auntie Mothers, all who have learned from teacher Mothers, enjoyed neighbor Mothers, hung out with best friend’s Mom Mothers and on and on.
A Mother is the one who birthed you, and she is also everyone who has loved you, watched over you, hugged and fed you, made you feel ‘at home’, straightened you out sometimes, and made you feel seen and heard. For there to be a world… there must be Mothers.
How can we possibly honor and appreciate Mother on this special day?
#1 Spend some time talking with her. Did you know that more phone calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year? Apparently holiday chats with Mom have caused phone traffic to spike by as much as 37 percent, so google says. It appears talking with Mom is high on the list of things to do. It brings her happiness – keep it up – do it.
#2 If you were a hard one to deal with, tell her you apologize and you realize that you put her to the test sometimes. She forgave you long ago and you know it, but tell her anyway. Chances are she made some mistakes too. We all do. Forget her flaws and make her feel good – that’s a great gift you can give her. She’ll never forget it.
#3 If you have an idea of something she needs or likes and you can give it to her, do so. Give her something she needs or something you know she loves to have. A gift will last and give her some joy tomorrow. Find the perfect one! Things that matter are great Mother’s Day gifts.
And if your mother is gone from you, remember her in your heart. Talk with her there. Love doesn’t die.
Here’s a Mothers Day poem by Kipling called “Mother o’ Mine” that touches on the depth of Motherhood. Mother is the life-giver – an incredible role indeed. Our Mothers gave us physical life and that is a wonder of nature. The ones who played the Mom role for us gave life to our heart’s trust, which is a life foundation we all need.
“Mother o’ Mine”
If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! I know whose love would follow me still, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
If I were drowned in the deepest sea, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! I know whose tears would come down to me, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
If I were damned of body and soul, I know whose prayers would make me whole, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine!
— Rudyard Kipling
A lovely and enjoyable tribute is offered in this YouTube video. We’ll include it as a little gift to your heart. You can access the video HERE.
Of all of the commemorations in the month of May, none is more important and more appreciated than Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May we are encouraged to bring attention to the importance of mental health and the resources available to support it.
It’s an excellent idea to discuss mental health. We are living in a time that seems so fragile. Stress is almost a given, for all of us. Who among us could not use a ‘mental health day’ every now and then!
The Stigma of Mental Illness
First let’s talk about the stigma, prejudice and discrimination in our culture with regard to mental illness. According to an article in psychiatry.org more than half of people with mental illness do not receive help for their disorders. The reason given is that people avoid or delay seeking treatment due to fears of being treated differently or of losing their jobs. That’s a sad reality.
The article points toward types of stigma, one being negative or discriminatory treatment by the public, and the other is self-stigma where an individual feels shame or has a negative attitude toward self.
The article states, “Stigma often comes from lack of understanding or fear. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness contribute to both those factors.” An additional issue they point toward is cultural. “Stigma around mental illness is especially an issue in some diverse racial and ethnic communities and it can be a major barrier to people from those cultures accessing mental health services.”
Finally, the article states, “A review of studies on stigma shows that while the public may accept the medical or genetic nature of a mental health disorder and the need for treatment, many people still have a negative view of those with mental illness.” Read the article HERE.
It’s a Changing World
Imagine how devastating it would be to fear losing your job or not getting an advancement because of a mental health diagnosis. While we realize there are workplaces where stigma, prejudice and discrimination exist, we also know that we are in a changing world.
The B Corporation is evidence of that changing world. B Corporations are committed to creating a work environment that supports the growth and health of employees, setting a high standard with regard to respect for employees, and that respect includes employees with a mental illness.
AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation with a long record of being committed to the well-being of employees. With regard to mental health, AMS offers a program called EAP, or Employee Assistance Program, at no cost to the employee. This program provides direct and immediate help to employees who feel the need for counseling.
If an AMS employee is going through a stressful or traumatic experience, they can call and speak to a trained professional counselor at any time, 24/7. The EAP offers help with everything from stress management and depression, to relationship challenges, to budgeting. Whatever the problem or issue, the counseling is available.
Mental Health Awareness
What can we accomplish with mental health awareness? One would hope that we have collectively been through enough in these past three years of covid stress to accept the fact that mental distress, trauma and illness could happen to any one of us. What we need to overcome is the stigma attached to a diagnosis, or the discrimination and prejudice. That includes our own judgement of ourselves.
During this Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s challenge ourselves to examine our world and see how the stresses and strains have affected our overall health, including our mental health. Look around and look within – from our neighborhoods to genetics, to the many factors come into play when it comes to mental health.
At a website called Mental Health America, there is a toolkit that includes information about how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Visit the website HERE.
Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, and it was started by this very organization – Mental Health America.
May we continue to grow past the stigma associated with mental illness and become loving friends of ourselves and each other.
Happy Cinco de Mayo to all AMS employees and a big salute to all AMS employees of Mexican heritage. The 5th of May celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. According to the History website, in Mexico May 5th is not celebrated as an important holiday, but in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage!
“Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where the amazing victory occurred, and some other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.”
The History website tells us that in the US Cinco de Mayo is really a celebration of Mexican-American culture. Rather than asking the History website to tell us about the holiday, we have approached Marco Pelaez, AMS West’s VP of Operations, to tell us how he looks at the celebrations. Marco was born in Puebla, Mexico and as an adult has lived both in Mexico and the US, so Marco is the perfect one to ask… do YOU celebrate Cinco de Mayo?
“In regards to what it means to Mexican-Americans, they get confused as most of them think that the 5th of May is Independence Day. For us it is just a celebration of the battle between the French army and the Mexican army. It is not considered a National holiday or a Federal holiday, however, all schools are out honoring the epic battle. May 5th is not a celebration of the Mexican-American culture. I do not celebrate this date as this is just considered a remembrance of the epic battle.”
Marco went on to say that Mexican Americans like to remember and celebrate the victory over Napoleon’s French army as they were considered the most powerful army back then. Another important factor is that the Mexican army was integrated with the majority of indigenous from the region surrounding the city of Puebla.
Thank you Marco for helping us understand more about Cinco de Mayo in the eyes of a man born in Puebla!
OK, now let’s not get it wrong… there are a lot of parties and celebrations going on and they’re super fun. The parties are especially prevalent in California and Nevada. But before we go out and ‘party’ let’s look into some more information about this battle. It didn’t win independence, but it did win something very important to the people of Puebla and apparently the people of the US as well.
We did a search for information on the battle of Puebla and we ended up at the Library of Congress website. Wow!! Is it ever interesting!! We’ll post two paragraphs so readers can get an idea of why this battle is called EPIC!
“Cinco de Mayo has its roots in an 1861 decision by Mexican President Benito Juárez. Facing a nation in financial ruin after two years of civil war, he suspended payment of foreign debts to the United Kingdom, Spain and France. All three nations sent warships to Mexico to seize payment, landing in Veracruz, on the Gulf Coast. The first two soon cut deals for repayment and withdrew. The French, led by Emperor Napoleon III, had more on their minds, planning to conquer the nation and establish a pro-French monarchy to rule it.
“An elite French military force headed for Mexico City was stopped on May 5, 1862, at Puebla, a city about 80 miles southeast of the capital city. The Mexican forces were led by Texas-born general Ignacio Zaragoza. Working with a ragtag army, he defeated the superior French forces. The French withdrew and were forced to await reinforcements, which took nearly a year. The victory only delayed the eventual French victory (that government lasted until 1867, when it was overthrown) but it was a significant morale boost for a beleaguered nation.”
As we continue to read about this incredible history, we see that these battles are woven in with the Civil War battles in the US and Cinco de Mayo celebrations date all the way back to 1866!!
The article goes on to talk about early celebrations of this victory and it concludes…
“So as you gather with friends for the 160th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo, you might have to remind some that it is not Mexican Independence Day (that’s Sept. 16). But now you can share a story about how, as Crook-Castan, the retired American diplomat puts it, the French defeat at Puebla had a profound impact on the Civil War and “it may well have saved the Union.”” You can read the full article HERE.
Please enjoy learning all about this fascinating history and also feel free to celebrate an EPIC battle that had an impact on a whole lot of things including the outcome of the Civil War!! Isn’t that amazing!! Happy Cinco de Mayo!! And Thank You Marco!
In the beginning of April we posted a blog about Earth Month and we talked about our Green Team, and some of our AMS Volunteers planning to participate in Earth Day events. Earth Day came, and AMS Volunteers were out on the trails, cleaning up and doing their best to respect the environment. We promised to let the readers know how we did, and here we are proudly saying Thank You to the AMS Volunteers – we did it beautifully!!
There were three cleanups for which volunteers could sign on and participate. One was the Towsley Canyon Cleanup in Newhall, CA; the second was at the Quartz Hill Reservoir Cleanup, which is in the LA area; and the third was in Stevens, PA, called the Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup.
Here below is our report from the Green Team’s Samantha Hicks:
“What I would love to highlight about this cleanup, is that this is a popular hiking trail, so locals saw how AMS was out there making a difference. It is also a good reminder to hikers the keep their trash with them for a proper waste bin, and the effect that they have on others when they throw their trash on the trail.”
Quartz Hill Cleanup 2 employees- (4 Hours) 3 Community Volunteers – (6 Hours) 6 minors Volunteers – (12 hours)
“What I would love to highlight about this cleanup, is that the community volunteers found AMS Cleanup on Earthday.org Great Global Cleanup! AMS was the only registered cleanup in Antelope Valley. AMS really did have an impact on our community, not only by cleaning it up, but by inspiring locals in our community to also make a difference on Earth Day. We cleaned up everything from broken glass and plastic to containers of oil, which I properly dumped the oil at the local recycling center. My entire truck bed was filled to the top!”
PA and DE Earth Day
Our PA and DE volunteers ran into a weather issue. They were rained-out of the Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup, but according to Samantha they still did their Earth Day celebration indoors.
“Though I do not have an official headcount, our PA and DE volunteers inspired employees to make the most of the rainy day and to make their difference indoors by planting seeds and recycling items in their house. No rainy day stops us from making a difference!”
April is an important month for us in our environmental focus, and AMS employees support the company’s efforts by volunteering for Earth Day events. The following is from Samantha:
“Earth Day 2023! AMS registered with The Great Global Cleanup. Employees, friends, and family volunteers cleaned up Quartz Hill, CA, open Joshua tree land- blossomed with wildflowers, Towsley Canyon trails- fresh water streams, and PA and DE volunteers planted indoor herbs, vegetables & recycled due to the storm. Feels good to be with people making a difference in our community. Shout out to the 13 million volunteers in 187 countries who participated in 2023 Great Global Cleanup.”
Thank You to the AMS Green Team for staying at it and recognizing that you DO make a difference. AMS is a B Corporation and AMS is also a lot of wonderful employees who Volunteer!! Thank You!!
Here below are some photos of our volunteers at work!
Towsley Canyon CleanupTowsley Canyon CleanupTowsley Canyon CleanupJoshua TreeJoshua TreeJoshua Tree
We have spoken before about higher education at AMS, and it’s time for another report. June 6th is National Higher Education Day! This commemoration day is described as a time to recognize the importance of education in improving our lives. For just a little background, we quote from 
