Today, we're proud to celebrate a richly deserved recognition – our very own President Kenya Campbell was just elected at the 89th AFT National Convention to serve as Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers. Kenya joins the 43-member national body that helps lead our 1.875 million-member union alongside President Randi Weingarten, Secretary-Treasurer Fedrick C. Ingram, and Executive Vice President Evelyn DeJesus.
AFT Maryland
This recognition is a testament to everything Kenya has built and everything our union has achieved under her leadership. Since taking on the presidency in 2021, Kenya has led AFT Maryland with fierce dedication, sharp strategy, and an unwavering commitment to the workers who keep our state running.
For years, Kenya has stood shoulder to shoulder and fought with our members. Just over the last two years, our victories are numerous – to name a few:
- Winning life-changing legislation that secures collective bargaining rights for the vast majority of non-tenured track faculty at Maryland's four-year public universities
- Securing the first-ever contracts for Maryland community college faculty, state employee faculty at Maryland School for the Deaf, and the residents and fellows at the University of Maryland Medical Center
- Delivering historic wage increases and stronger protections for Baltimore’s city workers and public school system employees in new City Union of Baltimore (CUB) contracts.
When attacks on academic freedom threatened Maryland educators and students, she led our union against the federal government and won – forcing the withdrawal of the "Dear Colleague Letter" – protecting critical funding and the diversity and equity programs of our schools and colleges.
Kenya has been at the center of every one of these fights, refusing to accept anything less than what our members deserve. Every win has laid the foundation for the next – a stepping stone toward a stronger union and a fairer Maryland. She has strengthened our voice in Annapolis, deepened our solidarity across sectors, and made clear that no worker in Maryland fights alone.
Her commitment at every rally, bargaining table, and hearing reminds us that our members – the educators, healthcare workers, public servants, and every worker who makes Maryland run – deserve dignity, respect, and a real seat at the table.
Now, Kenya carries that same vision to the national level, where she will be able to elevate our fights here in Maryland and help shape the future of our union and the labor movement at large. The voice, judgment, and fight that has delivered so many victories for Maryland workers will now serve as a rallying voice for working people across the country.
Kenya, on behalf of every member of AFT Maryland, thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your dedication. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor. You continue to inspire us, and we could not be more proud.
In solidarity and celebration,
AFT Maryland
For more photos from the AFT Convention, visit AFT's Flickrstream at flickr.com/photos/aftunion/
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