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William
H. Simons (retired)
President
Washington Teachers Union, Local 6
Bill Simons has the patience of a college professor, the courage of
a decorated solider and the organizing genius
of a wise labor leader. That such a triple threat renaissance man would
be one of the key architects of CBTU's policy and parliamentary framework
is not surprising. Simons, who grew up in Washington, D.C., attended D.C.
public schools, taught in D.C. public schools for 18 years and then served
twice as president of Local 6 of the Washington Teachers Union for 25
years. During his tenure as WTU Local 6 president, Simons repeatedly defied
the national leadership of his union and spoke out against racism in organized
labor and the need for black workers to unite. Simons was CBTU's first
elected national secretary. This WWII bronze star veteran, college lecturer,
writer and consultant has carved his niche in labor and politics: past
vice president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); founding
member of the AFT Black Caucus; past vice president of the Maryland State
and District of Columbia AFL-CIO; past recording secretary of the Metropolitan
Washington Council, AFL-CIO; past chairman of the D.C. Democratic Party;
National Committeeman on the Democratic National Committee (DNC). In April,
1994, he reached one of the most emotional highlights of his career, serving
as an AFL-CIO observer in the first democratic elections in South Africa.
In 1995, Simons was appointed treasurer of the prestigious Association
for the Study of African American Life and History, which was founded
by the legendary historian Carter G. Woodson.
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