Karen Lewis, Chicago Union Leader Who Set Off A Wave Of Teacher Activism, Dies

Source: WBEZ Chicago

Karen Lewis, the woman credited with resurrecting the Chicago Teachers Union and helping to revive teacher unions across the country, has died. . .

Lewis served as president of the Chicago Teachers Union from 2010 to 2018, when she resigned due to health issues. She was diagnosed with brain cancer several years ago. She was 67 years old. Her death was confirmed by the union.

Before becoming president of the teachers union, she was a chemistry teacher in Chicago Public Schools for more than 20 years.

Lewis is remembered as being passionate and outspoken, but also highly intelligent, wildly funny and warm, and someone who always recalled details about people’s lives and asked about them.

Read more: https://www.wbez.org/stories/karen-lewis-chicago-union-leader-who-set-off-a-wave-of-teacher-activism-dies/f8d5519c-f85c-4f73-a264-725157254854