Brown honors Weingarten, longtime head of American Federation of Teachers
Mayor Byron W. Brown proclaimed Monday "Randi Weingarten Day" in Buffalo to honor the influential president of the American Federation of Teachers union.
Brown called Weingarten "a trailblazer and true champion" during a ceremony at City Hall. Weingarten has served as head of the federation, which has 1.6 million members and is one of the nation's largest labor unions, since 2008. Prior to that she was for 12 years the head of a chapter in New York City that represented 200,000 educators and other members.
"Randi Weingarten has become not only a tenacious and determined leader for members of the American Federation of Teachers, but a voice for all Americans who are battling for equality, respect, dignity and opportunity,” Brown said.
The honor was part of the city's celebration of Women's History Month. Weingarten and Brown spoke to an audience of several hundred in the lobby of City Hall.
"Women are a force for good in our classrooms and colleges, in state houses and businesses, in homes and hospitals," Weingarten said. "I accept this honor in recognition of all the women who make a difference in our lives every day."
Brown honors Weingarten, longtime head of American Federation of Teachers - The Buffalo News: