Newly Elected AFT Executive Vice President Lorretta Johnson Receives Special Proclamation from Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon

BALTIMORE—Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon today named July 16, 2008, “Lorretta Johnson Day” in the city of Baltimore.

The proclamation highlights Johnson’s accomplishments and her career, from working as a teacher’s aide to being the first paraprofessional to be elected to an executive office at the AFT.

“I’m honored to be recognized by Mayor Dixon in this way,” Johnson said. “It’s a good feeling to know that my work is appreciated by the schools and the city I love.”

The official proclamation reads:

BY MAYOR SHEILA DIXON DESIGNATING JULY 16, 2008,
AS “LORRETTA JOHNSON DAY” IN BALTIMORE

WHEREAS,  Lorretta Johnson started her career as a teacher’s aide in Baltimore City schools in 1966; and

WHEREAS,   by 1970, Ms. Johnson had unionized the city’s paraprofessionals, including teacher’s aides and other educational assistants, and negotiated their first contract; she would go on to influence the national standards for training of classroom paraprofessionals; and

WHEREAS,    Ms. Johnson has served as President of the American Federation of Teachers in Maryland and as Co-President of the Baltimore Teachers Union, where she has overseen the paraprofessional chapter; and

WHEREAS,  Lorretta Johnson has now been elected Executive Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers, the nation’s second-largest teachers’ union; this is the highest position held by a paraprofessional in the AFT; and

WHEREAS, we recognize Lorretta Johnson for her dedication to the education of our country’s youth, and for acknowledging and emphasizing the importance of teachers and all who assist them. 

                   THEREFORE, I, SHEILA DIXON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BALTIMORE, do
                   hereby proclaim July 16, 2008, as “LORRETTA JOHNSON DAY” IN BALTIMORE, 
                   and do urge all citizens to recognize the importance of educators.

                                                                     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set the
                                                                     Great Seal of the City of Baltimore to be
                                                                     affixed this sixteenth day
                                                                     of July, two thousand eight. 

                                                                     ____________________________________
                                                                     Mayor

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