Strickland is new president of 6,500-member AFT Washington

The following is from AFT Washington:

TUKWILA (July 18, 2013) — Karen Strickland is the new president of AFT Washington, which represents over 6,500 education employees in 32 community and technical colleges, universities, Head Start, and K-12 schools. She will serve a two-year term beginning July 15.

Strickland has been active in the labor movement and public education for 20 years.

“I am looking forward to working on a statewide level with our members, the governor, legislators and policymakers, and community organizations to promote high-quality public education and support services,” Strickland said. “I believe the best routes to social and economic justice are public education and the labor movement.”

Strickland was the president of AFT Seattle Community Colleges Local 1789, taught in the Social and Human Services Program at Seattle Central Community College, and was a mental health counselor for 16 years.

While president of AFT Seattle Community Colleges, she was involved in various civil and human rights issues, including working with Occupy Seattle to facilitate a positive learning experience and relationship with the Occupy movement and college employees and students. She is an active bicycle commuter and has raised two children, both of whom reside in Seattle.