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JACQUELINE B. VAUGHN - (July 27, 1935 - January 22, 1994) Was the first African - American and first woman to head the nation's third largest teachers union local. She served as President of the Chicago Teachers Union (1984-94,) the Illinois Federation of Teachers (1989- 94) and Vice-President of the American Federation of Teachers (1974 - 1994). "Jacqui" as she was known by the 31,000 member union, was famous as a consensus builder among the leadership team and the teachers and support staff within the schools. Vaughn became one of Chicago's most visible union leaders during her tenure as CTU president, making regular appearances on the nightly news voicing the concerns and interests of both teachers and students during difficult negotiations with the Chicago School Board. Between 1969 and 1987 the union authorized nine strikes to improve educational conditions. The strike in 1987 lasted 4 weeks but resulted in a pay increase for teachers and reductions in class size. It was the longest strike in Chicago history. Vaughn once said "I think that teacher's strikes should not have to occur, but just as it is for other workers, the strike is the ultimate weapon when there's a total breakdown in the negotiating process." Vaughn spent much of her career trying to reform the educational system. Through her vision, the CTU Quest Center was created to give school professionals a place to design more effective teaching methods and student learning techniques. Vaughn passed away on January 22, 1994 after a long battle with cancer.

EARLY CAREER Jacqueline Vaughn was born Jacqueline Robinson in 1935 in St. Louis, MO. but moved to Chicago after her father died when she was 2. After her mother died when she was 5, she was raised by an aunt, Mae A. Bibbs, a first grade teacher at Douglas Elementary School. Bibbs helped to guide the young girl to a career as a teacher. She grew up in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the south side of Chicago in the Rosenwald Apartments. Vaughn (Robinson) graduated from Chicago Teachers College in 1956 working various teaching assignments before becoming a special education teacher at Einstein Elementary School and later a language arts specialist. During that time Jacqueline rose through the ranks of the Chicago Teachers Union. She served as a union delegate from 1957 – 1961, field representative from 1961 – 1963, Elementary Functional Vice President from 1963 – 1968. In 1968 Vaughn was elected to Executive leadership in CTU as recording secretary under then President, John Desmond. In 1972 Vaughn was elected vice-president, a post she held until Robert Healey stepped down as president in 1984. During this time the union developed collective bargain strategies which became a model for teacher unions across the country.

LEGACY 1992 - Under her direction the Chicago Teachers Union became the first labor organization to receive a $1 million grant from the MacArthur Foundation to fund the CTU Quest Center. The center provides teachers and paraprofessionals with continuous learning opportunities that can help improve teaching and student learning. 2 1994 - Wilson High School, on the northwest side of Chicago was renamed Jacqueline B. Vaughn Occupational High School after the former special education teacher and labor leader. The school provides special needs students with practical skills to become a viable part of the greater community. 3 1998 - On March 11th, Roosevelt Road in the south Loop area of downtown Chicago between The Dan Ryan Expressway and Museum Plaza by the city's lakefront was officially renamed Honorary Jacqueline B. Vaughn Way.