Barbara J. Easterling (born 1933) is an American former labor unionist.
Easterling grew up in Akron, Ohio, becoming a telephone operator at Ohio Bell, and also joining the Communication Workers of America (CWA).
[1][2] In 1970, Easterling was appointed by John J. Gilligan as secretary of the Ohio Labor Division, in which role she drafted laws to protect women's rights at work, and restrict child labor.
She stood down in 1973 to work full-time for the CWA, and in 1980 became assistant to its president, Glenn Watts.
[1][2] In 1995, Easterling served as secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Labor, the first woman to hold the post.