Linda Chavez-Thompson, The Future of Populist Politics

Text of Ms. Chavez-Thompson's Address

LINDA CHAVEZ-THOMPSON was elected Executive Vice-President of the AFL-CIO on October 25, 1995 at the federation’s convention in New York, part of an insurgent campaign to reinvigorate the American labor movement. She was re-elected on September 30, 1997 to a four-year term.

A second generation American of Mexican descent, Chavez-Thompson has thirty years of experience in the labor movement. She rose from the organizing ranks of her union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, to become the first person of color elected to an executive office of the AFL-CIO. She is the highest ranking woman in the labor movement.

Born to cotton sharecropper parents in Lubbock, Texas, Chavez-Thompson began her trade union career as a union secretary for the Laborers’ International Union from December 1967 through June 1971. She became an International Union Representative of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees from 1971 through 1973. She also served in several positions with both the San Antonio Local and Texas Council of AFSCME from 1973 through 1995. In her capacity she was responsible for advancing legislative, political action and education programs, as well as conducting every level of grievance procedures for membership representation.

Chavez-Thompson was an International Vice President of AFSCME from June 1988 through June 1996. As Vice President of AFSCME, she directed the union’s efforts in a seven-state district — Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah — an area that is widely recognized as unfriendly to labor. Prior to her election as Executive Vice-President, Chavez-Thompson served as a Vice-President of the AFL-CIO since August 3, 1993. She also served as a National Vice-President of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement from 1986 through 1996.

Since her election, Chavez-Thompson has become active in many national organizations, as part of the AFL-CIO’s program to work with other community groups. She serves on several boards and committees which include the AFL-CIO’s Board of Trustees, United Way’s Board of Governors, Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, Executive Committee member of the Council of Competitiveness, member of the Board of Trustees of the Labor Heritage Foundation, member of the Selection Committee of the Labor’s International Hall of Fame, Executive Committee member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Board member of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and Co-Chair of the Coalition to Defend America’s Working Families.

She was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on The President’s Initiative on Race and most recently appointed to serve as Vice Chair of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Prior to moving to Washington, D.C. in November 1995, Chavez-Thompson resided in San Antonio, Texas. She is the widow of Robert Thompson and has two children by a previous marriage and two grandchildren.

• Sponsored by The Schlessman Executive-in-Residence Program. This program is made possible through the generosity of the Schlessman family. For over three generations, the Schlessman family has made important contributions to the life of its alma mater, including service on the board of trustees, activities with the national alumni council and generous contributions to programs and facilities. The Executive-in-Residence Program brings distinguished individuals to campus every year to teach and lecture.