More than 3,000 educators will gather at the Minneapolis convention center July 18-21 for the annual convention of the American Federation of Teachers. The event will feature an address by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and a celebration of the union’s 100th anniversary.
Clinton is scheduled to speak Monday, July 18. AFT President Randi Weingarten also will give her keynote speech that day.
“During the AFT convention, the union of 1.6 million members will be celebrating our centennial anniversary, honoring the accomplishments of the past and addressing how they will inspire our future,” AFT said.
“This and all general sessions with a featured speaker will be live-streamed” on the AFT website, the union said. View a timeline of the union's history here.
The convention agenda features panel discussions on “Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools: The Resistance Is Rising!” and “What's Your Glass Ceiling? Breaking Down Barriers Women in America Face,” as well as a Women’s Rights Awards breakfast.
On Wednesday, delegates are scheduled to nominate and elect the AFT president, secretary-treasurer, executive vice president and vice presidents.
Other activities include clinics on student debt and a pre-convention day of community service on Sunday, with AFT delegates volunteering at Urban Ventures, a downtown Minneapolis nonprofit tackling urban poverty.
Minnesota is home to one of the strongest educators’ unions in the nation. Education Minnesota, an affiliate of both AFT and the National Education Association, represents 70,000 educators in pre-K through 12 schools and higher education institutions statewide.