In the years since its launch, the NYSUT Women’s Committee has sparked an inclusive women’s movement within our union.
Scores of women walked under its banner at women’s marches statewide. The committee has developed resources to support, educate and mentor women. Each time the women gather they try to raise awareness, build capacity and take action on the path toward women’s equality.
Led by NYSUT officers Melinda Person and Jaime Ciffone, and chaired by NYSUT members Marne Brady, Latrice Curry and Leslie Rose, the NYSUT Women’s Committee has four main goals: encourage more locals to develop in-house women’s committee chapters; educate female members about the work of the union; highlight women-specific issues, including inequities in pay, health care and education; and involve more union women in leadership roles.
Delegates to the 2017 NYSUT Representative Assembly made the group a permanent, standing committee following the success of “Speak Up, Stand Up, Step Up,” the first NYSUT Women’s Conference in 2017.