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Evelyn DeJesus was elected executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers on July 10. DeJesus is an AFT vice president and the vice president for education of the United Federation of Teachers in New York City.
She was elected unanimously to the post by the AFT executive council and will serve alongside President Randi Weingarten and Secretary-Treasurer Lorretta Johnson. DeJesus will finish out the remainder of Mary Cathryn Ricker’s term. Ricker was appointed to serve as commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Education.
In her new role, DeJesus will work with the union’s top leadership to advocate for the rights of educators, healthcare professionals and public employees across the country in their fight for a better life, a voice at work and a voice in their democracy.
DeJesus has served on the AFT’s executive council since July 2014; she also sits on the AFT Teachers program and policy council.
“I am honored to represent the members of this union—their hopes, their aspirations and the incredible work they do every day to make people’s lives better in their communities,” DeJesus said. “I am energized and ready.”
“I’ve known Evelyn since she was a chapter leader, and I remember people telling me, ‘You need to watch this woman,’ ” said Weingarten. “Evelyn inspires me every single day. I can’t think of a leader more equipped to take on this national role. She knows in her soul what it means to fight for a better future for all of our members.”
[photo by Michael Campbell]