America’s working families mourn the loss of Sandra Feldman, former president of the 1.3 million member American Federation of Teachers, who died Sunday night after a long battle with cancer.

Sandy Feldman was a visionary leader and inspiration for working families nationwide. She helped lead not only her union, but the nationwide movement for social change. Sandy Feldman devoted her life and her career to ensuring that children from every background could benefit from the finest public school education. She was a tireless advocate for children and the teachers, and schools and staffs who serve them.

Her commitment was rooted in early civil rights movement activism, and her career began in second-grade classrooms in New York City. After serving as president of AFT’s largest affiliate, New York City’s United Federation of Teachers (UFT), she was elected president of the national union in 1997. She served on the AFL-CIO Executive Council and Executive Committee and as a trustee of the George Meany Center–National Labor College.

All of us in the labor movement—and all of us who believe in the promise of a world-class education for all our children—will miss her very much.

Contact Esmeralda Aguilar 202-637-5018