AFT President Randi Weingarten Celebrates the Life of Retired Leader Ruby Newbold

WASHINGTON—American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement after the death of Ruby Newbold, a retired AFT vice president, AFT PSRP program and policy council chair, and Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees president:

“Ruby Newbold was an activist with a fervent sense of justice and a fierce love of her community. When you think of Ruby, the term ‘pioneer’ immediately comes to mind: She brought the Detroit Association of Educational Office Employees into the AFT because, coming from a labor family, she understood the value of belonging to a union. She held so many leadership positions within this union and left her mark on all of us.

“When Ruby spoke up, it was because she had something profound to say. She was one of the best facilitators, deepest thinkers and all-around gentle (but stern) giants. When she chimed in, you listened. Her legacy will live on in this union, in the Detroit community and in the many lives she touched. Our hearts are with her son, his family and everyone who loved her.”