President's Message Summer 2024
They say, “For everything there is a season...” “You reap what you sow” and so on. Well, thanks to a MARVELOUS team of officers and hard-working members, RC 43 has reaped awards, seen NYSUT adopt both of its resolutions at the RA in May, enjoyed basking in the spotlight at a very successful Regional Conference in Orlando and gained the recognition of NYSUT Leadership. In addition to all that (and more) members got to share time, talents, prizes and gain new knowledge about Member Benefits, NY and FL politics, necessary legal procedures and more. We have built bridges to our union brothers and sisters across the entire state.
There is no doubt the challenges we face in our adopted home as we 'age in place' are unfolding in unexpected ways. AND YET we are more prepared and better equipped than we often give ourselves credit for. Whether we look at unprecedented politics, economic concerns, social shocks or health worries, these are times that “try men/women's souls”. AND YET....looking through the lense of history, WE ARE THE ONES TO GET THE JOB DONE.
Consider how difficult it was for our founders to challenge a powerful king across an ocean and declare “We will not be subjects! We will be citizens!”. The powerless confronted the most powerful empire on earth...AND WON. Consider how Blacks had the audacity to convince all-powerful whites that they were deserving of similar rights. AND YET THEY WON. Consider how women were able to challenge the power of men and get the right to vote, to own property. AND STILL THEY WON.
American military forces had the courage to cross oceans in order to protect the world from powerful kings, autocrats and dictators, not once but TWICE. Those who fought in WW2 were called “the greatest generation” and when they returned home, they gave birth to BABY BOOMERS...that's US. And what have we done with our heritage? WE, the powerless convinced the powerful to give US the right to vote at 18. But we did not stop there to rest on our laurels. We marched for civil rights, we fought to end segregation and we fought for BODY AUTONOMY, contraception, the right to sit in board rooms no matter what your color, creed or gender. We stood up for student rights, for equal pay and more. We convinced a Republican President to create the EPA, to regulate pollution and protect the planet. And then we created EARTH DAY to educate everyone about caring for the only home we will ever know. But we did not stop there. We joined UNIONS and we fought for tolerance, diversity and social justice for everyone.
WHY are we prepared to face the challenges before US? Because we have the wisdom, experience, and political acumen to achieve success. WE ARE THE LARGEST voting block, not just in FL but in swing states like AZ. We are reliable, consistent, dependent 'super voters'. WE are the force that can defeat those who would deny us the rights we fought for, the EARNED BENEFITS that are ours to claim! VOTE. Work for candidates that are PRO-UNION, PRO PUBLIC EDUCATION, PRO- ENVIRONMENT, PRO HOME RULE, PRO DEMOCRACY. Give generously of your time, talents, money to candidates that will protect what we have achieved.
We are not just the heirs to all our powerless ancestors who fought for and won power. We are not just the descendants of the greatest generation. We are champions in our own right . IT'S UP TO US. WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO SUCCEED.