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NYSUT Social Justice

Social justice lies at the heart of unionism. As we fight to protect collective bargaining rights, strike back against education privatization and defend the rights of members, unions demonstrate the power of grassroots action and show how they can be vehicles for change within communities. The goal of NYSUT's Social Justice initiative is to take our social justice mission to the next level - moving beyond simple fundraising to actions that make REAL community change on issues important to members and the communities they live in. Learn more about NYSUT Social Justice.

What's New << >>

  • Challenges of teaching Black history focus of February program 2/21/2024
  • NYSUT named top fundraising company nationwide for supporting Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2/20/2024
  • Many Threads, One Fabric: Black History Month Thought Leaders Forum 2/15/2024
  • NYSUT and partners launch One-in-Five campaign to combat cycle of childhood poverty 1/24/2024
  • Poster celebrates Native American Heritage Month 10/25/2023
  • In rural Galway, educators thwart censorship attempts 10/17/2023
  • Clyde-Savannah educators push to uphold intellectual freedom 10/6/2023
  • New poster celebrates tennis legend Billie Jean King for LGBTQ+ History Month 10/4/2023
  • Birmingham to Buffalo: Teaching Assistant Ethel Kline talks about her purpose 9/20/2023
  • Free NYSUT poster celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 9/14/2023
  • Celebrating workers’ rights at Labor Day events 9/11/2023
  • 'Thoughts on this Labor Day.' By NYSUT President Melinda Person. 9/4/2023
  • NYSUT Members of Color Affinity and Action Project Inaugural Convening 8/31/2023
  • NYSUT Social Justice Academy graduates first cohort 7/20/2023
  • NYSUT statement on devastating Supreme Court rulings 6/30/2023
  • Celebrate Juneteenth! 6/16/2023
  • NYSUT educators are keeping books in schools, celebrating diverse and inclusive stories 6/13/2023
  • NYSUT Many Threads, One Fabric event celebrates Juneteenth 6/9/2023
  • “Many Threads, One Fabric” event celebrates Asian, Pacific Islander American Heritage Month 5/19/2023
  • SOUNDS OF WELLNESS: A Virtual Black History Month Event 2/27/2023
  • Response to Tyre Nichols' Death & Resources for Members 1/28/2023
  • NYSUT members give back for MLK Day 1/19/2023
  • New poster celebrates Native American Heritage Month 11/8/2022
  • 'Healthy School Meals for All' coalition calls for funding to end childhood hunger in schools 10/27/2022
  • Salamanca High School teachers honored for human rights education 9/14/2022
  • Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with our new Jorge Ramos poster 9/1/2022
  • At Buffalo rally, education unions stand up to hate 6/3/2022
  • ‘We need a voice’: Long Island educators form AAPI advocacy group 5/26/2022
  • NYSUT steps up support for Amazon and Starbucks workers 4/21/2022
  • NYSUT Disaster Relief Fund seeks donations to help Ukraine citizens 3/9/2022
  • NYSUT salutes Black History Month 2/19/2022
  • NYSUT Celebrates Black History Month 2022 2/18/2022
  • Free NYSUT poster celebrates HBCUs 1/20/2022
  • Event celebrates Hispanic excellence and achievement 10/14/2021
  • VIDEO: 'Celebrando Nuestra Hispanidad: A Conversation with Latino Leaders' 9/27/2021
  • Hispanic Heritage poster honors Maria Hinojosa 9/15/2021
  • Human rights conference brings together teens from three continents 7/19/2021
  • Guilderland teacher unites students and community for action and awareness 7/16/2021
  • Many Threads, One Fabric: 'How to Support Our LGBTQ and Allied Students' 6/24/2021
  • NYSUT Many Threads, One Fabric event celebrates Juneteenth 6/21/2021
  • Many Threads, One Fabric: 'Hope Gathering 2021' 6/17/2021
  • Rural local takes decisive action against anti-gay cyberbullying directed at teachers 6/11/2021
  • Empathy key to effective classroom communication, says Bigbie 5/26/2021
  • Educators discuss ways to combat anti-Asian hate 5/13/2021
  • NYSUT applauds Regents’ diversity, equity and inclusion policy statement 5/10/2021
  • 'Sticks & Stones' workshop offers support for understanding and challenging implicit bias 5/6/2021
  • RA 2021: Solidarity, now and forever 5/1/2021
  • Register for a follow-up session for our 'Courageous Conversation' webinar 4/22/2021
  • NYSUT statement on verdict in Derek Chauvin trial 4/21/2021
  • Free NYSUT poster celebrates Kamala Harris for Women's History Month 2/28/2021
    • See all related news

    • Social Justice Resources

      NYSUT, along with our partners at AFT and NEA, have compiled a number of social justice resources for educators and activists.

    • About NYSUT Social Justice

      Social justice lies at the heart of unionism, demonstrating the power of grassroots action and effecting change within our communities.

    • Implicit Bias Workshop

      Learn how to promote social unity and increase cultural awareness in your school and community by attending this new NYSUT workshop for members and local affiliates.

    • Members of Color

      Embracing our Diversity, Celebrating our Unity.

    • Pathways to Leadership

      NYSUT Pathways to Leadership, a project to support NYSUT BIPOC members who strive to own their power and strengthen their skills to take on leadership roles within their union, workplace, or community.

    • Civil and Human Rights Committee

      A committee to advance the union’s efforts to promote equity and social justice.

    • LGBTQ Resources

      Educating peers and advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning/Queer colleagues.

    • Women's Committee

      Learn more about the NYSUT Women's Committee.

    • Many Threads, One Fabric

      Launched in the summer of 2020, “Many Threads, One Fabric” is a series of NYSUT and AFT virtual town halls exploring racial justice, diversity and equity issues.

    • AAPI Heritage

      NYSUT members celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month by sharing their stories.

    • Black History

      NYSUT members and leaders are telling their stories in video testimonials as part of our Black History Month celebration. More to come!

    • Hispanic Heritage: Rita Moreno

      NYSUT celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a new poster honoring Rita Moreno, an actress, dancer, and singer whose stage and screen career spans over seven decades. Moreno is one of only 18 EGOT award winners — performers who have received Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards — and one of only 24 to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, winning Academy, Emmy and Tony Awards.

    • Social Justice Organizations

      Organizations around the world to help advance your social justice agenda.

    FEATURED:

    News

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    human rightrs

    Teachers, students focus on human rights throughout summer

    High school students and teachers have wrapped up the 2017 Summer Institute for Human Rights and Genocide Studies in West Seneca after a week of learning how to be “Standing for a Better World.” Their week was power packed with speakers who bore the titles of Syrian artist; Somalian refugee; Afghani humanitarian and school builder; Holocaust survivor; worldwide expert on women’s rights; and author — to name a few — for this 10th anniversary of the institute.
    READ MORE
    emily mcneill

    New Labor-Religion director champions a bold agenda

    Rev. Emily McNeill has been named the new director of the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State, following several years of warming up in the bullpen by organizing justice campaigns.
    READ MORE
    rfk video contest

    Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and NYSUT Announce Winners in Annual Statewide "Everyone Has Rights" Student PSA Contest

    New York State United Teachers and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights are proud to announce the winners of the fourth annual Speak Truth To Power "Everyone Has Rights" Public Service Announcement contest. This year's winners include the following student entries from across New York:
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    yavner award

    Yonkers teacher saluted for human rights work

    Yonkers teacher Mitchell Polay, a longtime sixth-grade teacher at Paideia School 15, was honored this week by the New York State Board of Regents for his outstanding work educating students — and fellow teachers — about the Holocaust and human rights.
    READ MORE
    LGBTQ Advocacy Day

    GENDA is not about bathrooms; it's about saving lives

    The GENDA bill would add gender identity and expression to the current list of classifications that are protected by state law from discrimination. Currently, legal discrimination can occur in employment, in rentals and housing and in refusal of business and services. Transgender individuals also are not specifically protected from the threat of and actual physical harm.
    READ MORE
    safe jobs - workers memorial day

    Workers Memorial Day to be commemorated Friday at NYSUT

    Laborers, unionists, faith leaders and advocates will gather at New York State United Teachers headquarters on Friday, April 28, to honor workers who have died, or suffered injuries and/or illnesses, on the job as part of the national commemoration of Workers Memorial Day.
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    earth day

    Unionists plan to celebrate the Earth

    School lessons, teach-ins, nature walks, several marches on Washington — April 22 and April 29 — community cleanups and a student poster contest are some of the highlights of this year's Earth Day celebration.
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    union strong

    Testing, teacher eval, the plight of adjuncts and defeat of constitutional convention top resolutions

    Delegates to NYSUT's policymaking convention in New York City directed the statewide union to stand strong against inappropriate student testing; unfair teacher evaluations and the exploitation of adjunct faculty, among other priorities. Delegates also committed to defeat the state's proposed Constitutional Convention on the ballot this fall.
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    kurzweil

    Locals honored for shining light on social justice

    Locals honored for shining light on social justice
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    pecorale

    Pecorale: Public education is the social justice issue of our time

    “The value of public education is the social justice issue of our generation,” Pecorale said.
    READ MORE
    bags for justice students

    NYSUT student-members take action for justice

    “Bags for Justice” nables kids to earn money while learning about social justice issues - and through NYSUT Executive Vice President Emeritus Alan Lubin’s association with the ministry, Bags for Justice just last month became NYSUT’s first-ever student-member group.
    READ MORE
    basko

    Sonia Basko honored for her grit, loyalty and dedication to unionism

    A teacher, former president of the Penfield Education Association, NYSUT Board member and then special projects coordinator on NYSUT’s staff, Sonia Basko turned action into activism. She enlivened unionism, empowered members, initiated campaigns for social justice, and organized spirited rallies, such as the statewide Picket in the Pines march in the North Country.
    READ MORE
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