Jacqueline B. Vaughn

Jacqueline B. Vaughn
A photograph of Vaughn from the November 1984 issue of Chicago–based Ebony Magazine.
Born	Jacqueline Barbara Robinson (1935-07-27)July 27, 1935 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Died	January 22, 1994(1994-01-22) (aged 58) Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Other names	Jacqui Jackie
Alma mater	Chicago Teachers College
Occupations	Teacher labor leader
Years active	1956–1994
Organization	Chicago Teachers Union
Known for	Vice–President of the Chicago Teachers Union (1972–1984) President of the Chicago Teachers Union (1984–1994)
Spouse	Robert H. Vaughn ​ (m. 1968)​
Children	1

Jacqueline Barbara Vaughn (née Robinson; July 27, 1935 – January 22, 1994) was an American Chicago Public Schools special education teacher and labor leader. Vaughn was the first African-American and first woman to head the nation's third largest teachers union local. She served as President of the Chicago Teachers Union from 1984 until 1994, the Illinois Federation of Teachers (1989–1994), and Vice-President of the American Federation of Teachers (1974–1994). She led what has been called one of the "mightiest teachers unions in the nation."

Vaughn was famous for her fashion sense and her no-nonsense negotiation style in contract talks. Her ability to build consensus between the leadership team, the teachers and school support staff garnered respect from those in and out to the educational system. Vaughn spent much of her career trying to reform the educational system. Through her vision, the CTU Quest Center was created to give school professionals a place to design more effective teaching methods and student learning techniques. Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley called Jacqueline Vaughn "a courageous and tireless champion for men and women working in our most noble profession, teaching."

Early life and career

Born Jacqueline Barbara Robinson on July 27, 1935 in St. Louis, Missouri to Mandella Robinson. Vaughn moved to Chicago after both parents died at an early age. Vaughn was raised by an aunt, Mae A. Bibbs, a first grade teacher within the Chicago Public Schools district. Vaughn was influenced by Bibbs to enter a career as a teacher. For high school, Vaughn attended Morgan Park High School; graduating in 1952. After high school, Vaughn attended and graduated from Chicago Teachers College in 1956. Vaughn worked various teaching assignments before becoming a special education teacher at Einstein Elementary School and later a language arts specialist. During that time Vaughn rose through the ranks of the Chicago Teachers Union. Vaughn served as a union delegate from 1957 until 1961, field representative from 1961 until 1963 and Elementary Functional Vice President from 1963 to 1968.

Career

Chicago Teachers Union

Having been a member of the Chicago Teacher's Union since 1956, Vaughn was elected to executive leadership in the union as recording secretary under then President, John Desmond in 1968. In 1972, Vaughn was elected to serve as CTU's vice-president, serving under president Robert Healey. Vaughn held the post for twelve years. Vaughn was elected the union's president by the union's House of Delegates in July 1984, earning a yearly salary of $52,000. Vaughn became one of Chicago's most visible union leaders during her tenure as CTU president, making regular appearances on the nightly news voicing the concerns and interests of both teachers and students during difficult negotiations with the Chicago School Board. Between 1969 and 1987 the union authorized nine strikes to improve educational conditions.

1987 strike

Vaughn lead teacher strikes four times during her tenure as union president, 1984 (10 days), 1985 (2 days) and most notably 1987 (19 days). The strike in 1987 lasted 4 weeks, from September 8 to October 4 and resulted in a pay increase for teachers and reductions in class size. It was the longest strike in Chicago history. Vaughn once said "I think that teacher's strikes should not have to occur, but just as it is for other workers, the strike is the ultimate weapon when there's a total breakdown in the negotiating process."

Personal life and death

Vaughn married twice and had one son, Karl T. Wright born in 1961. In 1968, she married Robert H. Vaughn Jr., international vice president of the United Food and Commercial Workers; whom she was still married to at the time of her death. Vaughn died on January 22, 1994 after a long battle with breast cancer. In 1992, Under her direction the Chicago Teachers Union became the first labor organization to receive a $1 million grant from the MacArthur Foundation to fund the CTU Quest Center. The center provides teachers and paraprofessionals with continuous learning opportunities that can help improve teaching and student learning.

Legacy

On April 1, 1993, Wilson High School on the northwest side of Chicago was renamed Jacqueline B. Vaughn Occupational High School after the former special education teacher and labor leader. The school provides special needs students with practical skills to become a viable part of the greater community. On March 11, 1998, Roosevelt Road in the south Loop area of downtown Chicago between The Dan Ryan Expressway and Museum Plaza by the city's lakefront was officially renamed Honorary Jacqueline B. Vaughn Way .