The entire AFL-CIO family mourns the passing of our sister and friend, American Federation of School Administrators President Diann Woodard.
For a generation, Diann fought to give America’s children a better future, while steadily advancing the rights of not just school administrators but all workers in the education system.
From her days growing up in a UAW household in Detroit to her lifelong service as a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal and labor leader, Diann always put workers, students and families first.
Diann was a coalition builder. Her words were measured and thoughtful. But it was a mistake to underestimate her. Underneath her mild-mannered exterior was a fiery passion for education, economic justice and the labor movement. She saw our work as the key to democracy.
Diann served on the AFL-CIO Executive Council with distinction, bringing her insight to the Committee on Member Education and Training and the Committee on State and Local Labor Councils and Community Partnerships. She also served as vice chair of the Committee on Women Workers, where she helped put women’s issues at the center of the fight for workers’ rights.
This daughter of Motown made life better for all the sons and daughters in our country, including her beloved daughter Kelly. The AFL-CIO Executive Council salutes Diann Woodard for a lifetime of distinguished service.