AFT Vice President
Linda Bridges started her career in education as an elementary special education teacher in the Corpus Christi Independent School District. Bridges was a charter member of the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers and served as the local's secretary and executive vice president, and then began a tenure as president of CCAFT that spanned 24 years. In 2005, Bridges was elected president of Texas AFT.

As president of CCAFT, Bridges helped pioneer exclusive consultations for school employees. Under her leadership, CCAFT developed several collaborative ventures with the Corpus Christi Independent School District in the area of school reform. From these efforts the district and the union developed local academic standards and peer coaching for new teachers and teachers at risk.

Prior to becoming president of Texas AFT, Bridges served as a member of state federation's executive committee and executive council and chaired the legislative committee. At the national level, Bridges continues to serve on the AFT Teachers program and policy council and the AFT advisory committee on state federations. In 2008, she was appointed to the AFT executive committee.

While president of the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers, Bridges also served as president of the 10,000-member Coastal Bend Labor Council. She is currently a vice president and trustee of the Texas AFL-CIO. She also has held a number of community positions, including chair of the Juvenile Assessment Center, director of United Way of the Coastal Bend, and regent of Del Mar Community College.

(September 10, 2008)