Flower City to host 2025 RA

he city of Rochester, New York has a rich history as the birthplace of the modern women’s rights movement, as a home to famous civil rights champions Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony, and as the last leg of the Underground Railroad. May 2–3, delegates from acround the state will experience some of the city’s remarkable culture and history as they head to the Flower City for the 2025 NYSUT Representative Assembly.

“From the rich history of progress and activism to the world-class arts, music, and culture, Rochester is the perfect place for our NYSUT delegates to gather, connect, and celebrate our movement,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Get ready for an unforgettable convention filled with inspiration, camaraderie, and plenty of fun in a city built on innovation and change!”

During the RA, NYSUT’s policymaking convention, officers will report on their progress in implementing goals from last year.

RA delegates will consider nearly 50 resolutions directing the union’s course on education, legislative priorities, healthcare and workplace safety, civil and human rights and retirement issues.

The annual RA also offers the union an opportunity to recognize the winners of the NYSUT constituency awards, including: 2025 New York State Teacher of the Year Colleen Keough, Schenectady Federation of Teachers; and School-Related Professionals Members of the Year Raul Garcia, United Federation of Teachers, and Angelina Rivera, Rochester Association of Paraprofessionals. Retiree Members of the Year are Thomas Murphy, UFT, and Beverly Voos, Webster Teachers Association. Redetha Abrahams-Nichols, United University Professions–Downstate Medical Center, and Moncef Righi, Federation of Nurses/UFT, are Health Care Professionals Members of the Year. Higher Education Member of the Year is Laura Murphy, Dutchess Community College United Educators.

UFT member Zina Burton-Myrick and Sandra Carner-Shafran, Saratoga Adirondack BOCES Employees Association, will receive the union’s “Not for Ourselves Alone:” The Sandy Feldman Outstanding Leadership Award.

The convention will also recognize winners of the union’s Humanitarian Award, the Ken Kurzweil Social Justice Award and NYSUT Community Service Awards — both individual members and local unions.

The work of the convention will officially begin on May 1, at the Local and Retiree Council Presidents Conference.

Visit nysut.org/ra for more information.