Style and substance

The AFT has been inundated with memories of and reflections on Sandra Feldman. People remark on her caring and compassion. They remember her acts of generosity and selflessness, her passion when fighting for what she believed in. Many note her joy in the presence of her favorite constituency: children.

From the moment she threw herself into the cause of civil rights in the 1960s, to her signature Kindergarten-Plus initiative, Sandy Feldman was driven by her vision for a better society and the capacity of caring individuals working together to make a difference.

“Sandy was first and foremost a human being full of compassion and ready to fight for those who needed it the most. When you were with Sandy, you felt this compassion and you knew she would do whatever it would take to make things happen, to make the world a better place.”

—Marie Sainz-Funaro, President,
Overseas Federation of Teachers

“My appointment to the PPC (PSRP) was done by Sandy and a large part of my union growth has been because of her. Sandy’s continuous recognition of paras and classified employees meant a lot to all of us.”

—Ernie Carson,
Palomar College Council of Classified Employees, Local 4522

“She was a giant in terms of her being a force for the labor movement not only in education but for all of labor as well. She had unionism through every fiber of her being.”

—Lou Stollar,
United College Employees of the Fashion Institute of Technology

“This was truly a person who realized the importance of representing educational and other workers on every level—at the work site, healthwise through benefits offered, and through the political process.”

—Yvonne Rodriquez, President, Local 4127

“Sandy Feldman brought diversity to the AFT. She put many women, men and minorities in AFT management positions that they could only dream about before. She gave people hope. ”

—Milton Williams, AFT printer/photographer

“Some people are about style, while others are about substance. Sandra was about both.”

—Gregory Merritt, member