Jessica Akers Hughes

Jessica Akers Hughes joined the Arkansas AFL-CIO staff as the State Political and Mobilization Coordinator in 2011. Jessica began her work with the Labor Movement as a canvasser and office manager with Working America, a community affiliate of the AFL-CIO. She is a former CWA member, an Associate Steelworker and a member of OPEIU Local 105. Jessica is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a Bachelor's degree in International Economic Development. She is also a graduate of the National AFL-CIO's 2011 Leadership Institute and served as a Young Worker Trainer to the Leadership Institute in 2012 and 2013. In May of 2013, Jessica was elected as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Arkansas AFL-CIO. Jessica is the youngest officer elected to a State Federation in the country. In June of 2015, Jessica was elected to serve as Secretary-Treasurer of her Local Union, OPEIU Local 105. In June of 2021 Jessica was elected to serve as the first female President of the Arkansas AFL-CIO. Jessica serves on the National State Fed/CLC Advisory Committee to the Executive Council and on the National Young Worker Advisory Committee. Jessica also serves on the board of the community radio station, KABF "The voice of the people," serving low and middle-income Arkansans. Jessica resides in North Little Rock with her two dogs, Franklin and Arnold.