SAG-AFTRA has announced the passing of Sheila Ivy Traister, a prominent figure in the union community, at the age of 67. Traister was an actor, writer, director, and veteran who had been a member of both SAG and AFTRA since 1988. She was known for her efforts to promote inclusivity for Asian American and Pacific Islander performers as well as performers with disabilities.
In recognition of her more than four decades of service to the union, Traister received the George Heller Memorial Award in 2024. Her involvement with SAG-AFTRA included serving on the National Board and as president of the Colorado Local.
Traister’s commitment to labor extended beyond SAG-AFTRA. She served as vice president on the Executive Board of Colorado AFL-CIO and was acknowledged in 2021 and 2023 as a leading Asian/Pacific Islander figure in the labor movement nationwide.
In addition to her union work, Traister taught at the Colorado Film School where she advocated for union membership. Her background also includes service in the U.S. Air Force.
