In a moving address that acknowledged his personal and physical losses over the past year, NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer J. Philippe Abraham entreated members to choose bravery when faced with challenge.
“In these times, it is understandable when one feels despair, but I beg you to not let that be an option,” he said. “For if we do not have hope that things can be different and find the courage to act, we will not have the power to make change personally or collectively.”
NYSUT’s social justice work builds our collective power creating opportunities for members to lead. It is training and resources for members to build campaigns that fight for shared values. It is bringing people together to foster the community that is vital for activists to persevere, he said.
Since 2021, NYSUT’s Sticks and Stones workshops have enlightened over 10,000 educators; the Social Justice Academy is growing the next generation of locals to make positive changes in their communities; and the Members of Color Affinity and Action Project provides a place for members to be seen and heard.
Abraham, who serves as the union’s fiscal head, is also in charge of the NYSUT Member Benefits department. He assured delegates that the union is fiscally sound and yet alert to the financial challenges that the organization may face in the future.
Looking to the future, Abraham encouraged delegates to ask for help when needed, to look to our predecessors for inspiration, and to find joy and community in the work.
“My friends, our fight is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said. “Find others who share our vision and laugh, cry, argue and scream together. And most importantly, be there for one another.”