Letters to the Editor

The courage of Ponsie Hillman

Sep 25, 2008 5:20 PM

To the Editor:

Ponsie Hillman recently passed away. She served as an officer of the UFT, and member of our Executive Board and Delegate Assembly over many years.

Ponsie had many accomplishments. She served on many committees. She made her views known. But her role in 1968 when our union went on strike — a strike that lasted three months — is what I remember most about Ponsie Hillman, educator and trade unionist.

As an African-American and union officer, our 1968 strike had to be a difficult period for Ponsie, although she may not have felt that way. With our union on the line, Ponsie took a position in that strike that demonstrated her loyalty to the UFT and to trade unionism. Ponsie took abuse during that bitter strike because she was an African-American and because she was out front as a union officer justifying the strike.

Ponsie had courage and fortitude. She knew the union was right in fighting to protect the due-process rights of its members, which is what the strike was all about. Ponsie’s support helped us to win the strike and protect those due-process rights.

Ponsie Hillman was a woman of courage. Abuse couldn’t stop her from fighting for our members and for her union. So when we talk about union solidarity, please remember the name of Ponsie Hillman and how she stood with the union in our most difficult of times.

Abe Levine, retired

EDITOR’S NOTE: An obituary for Ponsie Hillman appears on page 18 of the State Edition of New York Teacher.