Transcript Our Proud History Since 1857 NEA has led the crusade for the rights of all educators and children.

Our Proud History
Since 1857 NEA has led
the crusade for the rights
of all educators and
children
NEA believes
every student in America,
regardless of family
income or place of
residence, deserves a
quality education.
Dedicated Association
members teach, drive, feed,
counsel, nurse—and inspire.
It has been a battle all
along the way, so let’s
look at some of the
struggles that got us from
there to here…
TODAY
Ironically, even
though the NEA
had been open
to minority
educators from
day one, women
were barred from
joining.
This changed at the end
of the Civil War and the
Association was open
to “all persons,” not
just “gentlemen.”
VEA’s first
meeting was at
the First Baptist
Church in
Petersburg, VA’s
2nd largest city.
Attendees traveled by rail, horse
and buggy and on foot through
Civil War torn VA.
Founding president: Col. Lee Powell
of Winchester was called into active
duty for the Confederacy so the first
term was completed by
Rev. Dr. John
Atkinson, President of
Hampden Sydney
College
VA’s all-black
teacher
organization
formed in
Lynchburg at the
Peabody
Institute, a
training school
for African
American
teachers.
1887: Founding President
of the Virginia Reading
Circle, (later known as VTA)
James Hugo
Johnston,
President of
Virginia State
University
VTA’s 2nd president
was a female
Rosa Dixon Bowser
Elementary teacher in
Richmond’s public
schools for 39 years;
first African American
female to teach in
Richmond public
schools.
A plaque in the VEA
conference room lists all
presidents of both VEA and
VTA dating back to 1863
1867
NEA’s first
legislative
victory:
establishing the
Department of
Education.
A native of Franklin County, VA,
Booker T. Washington, founder
of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama,
addresses the 1884 NEA
convention.
At the turn of the century, teachers
were still struggling with perennial
issues:
Salaries remained under $50 a
month
Women were still paid less than
men
the Average Class Size was 60
A sweatshop in neighboring NC.
The 1905 National
Convention was dedicated
to ending child labor.
1909
VEA worked with the Virginia
General Assembly to create the
pension plan that is now called
VRS—the first of its kind in the
country.
1910
Ella Flagg Young NEA’s first
female president, a full decade
before women gained the right to
vote..
Dr. Young was
America’s first
female
superintendent
1929
The U.S. stock market crashed
forcing some schools to close.
In those that remained open,
the teachers copied textbooks
by longhand.
NEA gave our schools voice.
World War II:
NEA coordinated the rationing of
staples and promoted the sale
of Defense Savings Stamps.
They also lobbied for special
funding for public schools near
military bases.
NEA lobbied
strongly for
the G.I. Bill of
Rights to help
returning
soldiers
continue their
education.
Walking tall. The nation watched as
six-year-old Ruby Bridges
integrated a Louisiana school under
the protection of U.S. Marshals.
VEA AND VTA MERGED
JANUARY 1, 1967.
Until 1971 in Virginia, a
pregnant teacher had to
resign “before she began
to show.”
VEA/NEA won the fight to
overrule mandatory leave for
expectant teachers in
Chesterfield, VA.
1973
VEA wins fair grievance
procedure for teachers
and in
2009 for ESP’s
Mary Hatwood Futrell
born in Altavista and
taught in Alexandria
1960-1976,
served as
VEA President from 1976-78
NEA President from 1983-89.
Dr. Futrell was influential
in the formation of
National Board for
Professional Teaching
Standards
2001 VEA’s
Brighter Futures Campaign
Brought $1.5 Billion to VA Schools
2009
VEA wins planning time
for elementary teachers
after 36
years…
Our Vision
A great public school for every
child in the Commonwealth of
Virginia.
Our Mission
The mission of the Virginia
Education Association is to
unite our members and local
communities across the
Commonwealth in fulfilling
the promise of a high quality
public education that
successfully prepares every
single student to realize his or
her full potential. We believe
this can be accomplished by
advocating for students,
education professionals, and
support professionals.
New member w/
building rep in
Chesterfield
County
Equal Opportunity.
A Just Society.
Democracy
Professionalism
Partnership
Collective Action
Repair the
Damage
Rally in
Richmond,
2011
What have you done today
to make you feel proud?
Your Association work can
help.