Last week, the Philadelphia Education Fund, whose President and CEO Farah Jimenez is also an SRC commissioner, hosted an event featuring David Osborne, who in an interview after the event, compared teachers' unions to segregationists. In addition to Commissioner Jimenez, Superintendent Hite was part of the round table.

These comments are a direct attack on the 12,000 educators who ARE the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

PEF President and SRC Commissioner Farah Jimenez and Superintendent William Hite must unequivocally denounce David Osborne's comments.

In 1963, pro-segregation Alabama Governor George Wallace stood in opposition to integration of the University of Alabama as he physically blocked 2 students of color from entering the school. This was a heinous, racist act and a shameful moment in our nation's history.

As a union, we work everyday to combat racism in every facet of our society, to stand up against bigotry and injustice, and to elevate the voices of too often marginalized children and families. Unfortunately, on September 8, as more than 12,000 educators were in classrooms getting to know their new students and preparing for a wonderful year, the Philadelphia Education Fund hosted an event where their featured speaker literally compared teachers' unions to George Wallace in a post-event interview with the Notebook:

“What bothers me is when they stand in the way of poor minority kids getting opportunity, and they actually fight hard to do that.” Last year in Massachusetts, he said, unions spent $10 million defeating a law that would have raised the cap on how many charter schools could exist in the state.


“They’re actually doing what George Wallace did, standing in the schoolhouse door, denying opportunity to poor minority kids,” he said. “And that really bothers me. But that’s their political activity.”

SIGN THE PETITION to voice your concern about Osborne's stunning and disgraceful attack on the educators who work hard in classrooms around the country each day.

This is a direct attack on the millions of educators who ARE the teachers' unions across the country. Further, Mr. Osborne neglects to point out that in places like Massachusetts, voters rejected the charterization of their districts because they believe in-- and invest in--their public schools.

We are distraught that Farah Jimenez, who sits on the SRC as well as serves as the President and CEO of the Philadelphia Education Fund, allowed David Osborne to headline an event hosted by her organization.