Unions are one of the most effective tools for closing gender gaps at work. They also secure paid leave, protect health benefits, and give women a seat at the table where decisions are made.
When women have a voice on the job, workplaces get fairer.
Women deserve workplaces that value our time, our health, and our contributions.
Unions help make that real.
Imagine your district, campus, institution, or office has the full funding it was promised from the state. What are the top priorities you would want that money spent on to better serve students and communities?
TELL US:
Good morning! It's another beautiful FULL FUNDING FRIDAY!
Today we're asking IFT members to use your imagination! 💡
When working families are informed and involved in this democratic process, our communities are stronger, our schools thrive, and our public services get the support they deserve.
Voting is how we show up for one another.
Learn more and view our endorsed candidates at ift-aft.org/vote.
Are you ready to vote in the Illinois primary election?
Take a moment to make sure your registration is up to date, research the candidates, and make your voting plan. (You can vote early or vote on Election Day - March 17!)
See our full list of endorsed candidates at ift-aft.org/vote.
We are thrilled to be supporting Juliana Stratton for U.S. Senate. She is laser-focused on policies that will uplift Illinois’ working and middle class families by making life more affordable and expanding economic and education opportunities.
We're urging members to say NO to vouchers because they divert funding AWAY FROM public schools and TOWARD private and religious schools that are not required to follow the same transparency, accountability, or civil rights protections that apply to public schools.
In the upcoming primary election, many Illinois communities will see a ballot question related to the creation of a new statewide voucher program.
The idea quickly spread across the country, with President Jimmy Carter recognizing Women's History Week in 1980 and by 1987, March had officially been declared Women's History Month by Congress.
Tell us your answer here. https://www.ift-aft.org/revenuerepository.
Imagine this: your school, campus, or workplace finally gets the full funding it’s owed. What changes first?
This week through March 6 - our next Full Funding Friday! - we’re collecting videos from members across Illinois answering this question.
Educators lead the way. ❤️🍎
Did you know Women’s History Month started as a grassroots movement in California, where educators launched a local Women’s History Week in 1978?
In Peoria, IL, career and technical education opened doors for Kianna Pittman, leading to certifications, hands-on experience, a full-time job and college support thanks to @iftaft.bsky.social educators.
📝 www.aft.org/ae/fall2022/...
#PublicSchoolProud #PSW26 #CTEworks
Dark teal background, text reading: Monday, March 2, 6pm/ MAKE THE CALL for PUBLIC Schools/ We’re reaching out to voters to say: Vote NO on federal vouchers for Illinois! Public dollars must be for public schools!Graphic of a phone and a schoolhouse/ bit.ly/3_2callsforschools Image of a red t-shirt with “I ‘heart shape’ Illinois PUBLIC SCHOOLS” printed on it in white with text reading: We're raffling off this rad Raygun shirt at the end of the night, so a lucky caller can keep repping their support for public schools!
TONIGHT! Phone bank w/us and @iftaft.bsky.social! We're letting voters know there's a misleading question on their primary ballot about the harmful new federal voucher program. RSVP by 4pm today: bit.ly/3_2callsforschools
Come to spread the truth—stay for the @raygunshirts.bsky.social tee raffle!
We’re committed to advocating for environments where students can learn without fear and teachers can teach without risking retaliation. Schools should be safe havens.
And we stand with every teacher showing up for kids in impossible circumstances.
Educators are stepping in to provide food, rides, letters of support, and constant emotional care while processing this trauma themselves and keeping learning on track.
The 19th reports that teachers nationwide are seeing chronic absenteeism, heightened anxiety, and emotional distress as students worry about being taken—or returning to find a classmate gone.
@19thnews.org
Teachers and school staff are doing far more than teaching right now—they’re acting as first responders to fear. 💔
https://19thnews.org/2026/02/teachers-students-ice-agents/
Her life and work forever changed the conversation about public education, and her footsteps paved the way for the powerful women union leaders that follow.
Her belief in educator-led reform shaped her leadership. "Teachers are the real experts in the classroom. If you want to reform schools, you have to start by listening to the people who are actually doing the work.”
Before becoming the first Black woman to lead both the CTU and IFT, Jackie Vaughn spent decades listening to, learning from, and fighting alongside the education professionals at the heart of public schools.
The IFT supports students' continuing education by awarding two annual scholarships. Learn more about criteria and apply today:
>>> Porter Scholarship Applications due February 28!
>>> Megel Scholarship Applications due March 6!
🚨 Last Call! Scholarship deadlines are quickly approaching! 🚨
If you’ve been thinking about applying… today is the day!
Thank you, again, for making our Lobby Day such a powerful success last week. Together, we showed lawmakers & the governor that Illinois educators, higher education workers, and public service professionals are united in demanding the full funding our state deserves. www.youtube.com/watch?v=crdd...
Read more about Thomas here: https://www.illinoistimes.com/arts-culture/illinois-first-black-legislator-11441634/.
That man was named John William Edinburgh Thomas. He was an educator, entrepreneur, and after sponsoring legislation banning discrimination in public, was known as "our legislator" to African Americans in Springfield and beyond.
Did you know that in 1877, Illinois became the first state in the Midwest and only the second state in the north to send a black man to its state legislature?
