EVELYN DEJESUS BECOMES FIRST LATINA ELECTED TO UPPER LEADERSHIP OF UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
Evelyn DeJesus, the vice president for education of the AFT’s largest local, the United Federation of Teachers in New York City, was elected unanimously today by the national union’s executive council as executive vice president.
DeJesus will serve alongside President Randi Weingarten and Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson. She will finish out the remainder of Mary Cathryn Ricker’s term. Earlier this year, Ricker was appointed to serve as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.
DeJesus was elected to the post as the union kicks off its biennial TEACH (Together Educating America's Children) professional learning conference in Washington, D.C., where more than 1,200 educators from across the country will gather over the next three days to highlight the union’s major initiatives, including investment in public education, taking on student debt, respecting the freedom to teach, creating safe and welcoming work environments with an eye toward building power, and safeguarding a democratic future through voting and advocacy.
In her new role, DeJesus will work with the union’s top leadership to advocate for the rights of educators, healthcare professionals and public employees across the country in their fight for a better life, a voice at work and a voice in their democracy.
“I am honored to represent the members of this union—their hopes, their aspirations and the incredible work they do every day to make people’s lives better in their communities,” DeJesus said. “I am energized and ready.”
DeJesus began her career when one of her daughters became ill during a school construction project, and she courageously exposed the toxic CONTINUE READING: EVELYN DEJESUS BECOMES FIRST LATINA ELECTED TO UPPER LEADERSHIP OF UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS | Black Star News