There will be workshops which will involve issues relating to women, communities of color and the GLBT community. Workshops are described below:

 WHAT:          AFT’s Civil, Human and Women’s Rights conference

WHEN:           Oct. 23-25

WHERE:        Miami Beach Resort 
                                

4833 Collins Ave.

 WHO:            Randi Weingarten, president, American Federation of Teachers (Friday, 6 p.m.)
                        Maria Echaveste, co-founder, Nueva Vista Group, and former deputy chief of staff to President Clinton (Saturday, 9 a.m.)
                       William Lucy, president, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and AFSCME secretary-treasurer (Saturday, 12:15 p.m.)  
                       Karen Narasaki, president and executive director, Asian American Justice Center (Saturday, 12:15 p.m.)    
                       Rosa Rosales, president, League of United Latin American Citizens (Saturday, 12:15 p.m.)

Workshops on Friday, Oct. 23

4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Count Me In!: The 2010 U.S. Census: This session will provide critical information that will ensure a successful and accurate 2010 census. It will highlight the AFT’s efforts, as well as the work of Census in Schools and other national campaigns that members can join to ensure an accurate census count.

Underground Undergrads Fulfilling the DREAM: This session will provide information about legislative solutions to the broken immigration system, and strategies for developing preventive and intervention plans. It will highlight two important campaigns that are moving the debate forward: “Stop the Hate” and the “DREAM Act.”

Scared to Health: Take Charge of Your Life: This workshop will explore the issue of health disparity, and will discuss preventive measures and ways union members can take an active role in breaking down the barriers, attitudes and systems that contribute to these disparities.

Workshops on Saturday, Oct. 24

10:15 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.

Fighting for America’s Future: Healthcare Reform: This workshop will explore the urgent need for healthcare reform, provide a legislative update, and discuss labor’s healthcare reform campaign.

Community Schools: Centers for Communities: In order to connect students with the noninstructional services they and their families need, many school districts partner with the community. This workshop will discuss the AFT’s guiding principles for establishing community schools, and will provide firsthand accounts that reflect the realities of breaking down nonacademic barriers to student success.

2:30 p.m.- 4 p.m.

We Burned Our Bras, Now What? Feminism in the 21st Century: This workshop will provide an intergenerational and multicultural discussion about the challenges women face, strategies for change and actions that will create lasting solutions.

Worker Pride: Open Dialogue about GLBT Issues in the Workplace: This workshop will explore a variety of issues, provide updates on important legislation, and share effective strategies for creating a workplace with nondiscrimination policies, benefits and other practices that include LGBT workers.

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The AFT represents more than 1.4 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.