Delegate Dialogue — Wednesday, July 2
Mary Christian, MEA-Retired
- President of MEA-Retired
- Former MEA President (1990-91)
- Former Flint elementary teacher
How long have you served as an NEA RA delegate?
“My first meeting was in 1964 in Seattle when I was president-elect of the Flint Education Association. So that makes it 45 consecutive years.”
That’s the longest of anyone in the Michigan delegation! What has kept you coming back for 45 years?
“My profession is so important to me. It’s my MEA family, my NEA family and my international family that cares about education and children. Whatever I can do to promote public education, I’ll do with my dying breath.”
Do you remember what you felt the first time you walked onto the NEA RA floor?
“Oh my gosh! I looked at this mass of people and was completely overwhelmed. It was unbelievably complex. I would have been lost without direction from my MEA leaders.”
What is your most memorable experience at an NEA RA?
“Easy – when President Lyndon Johnson in the '60s when he visited the RA in New York City. We were right up close to the stage and there he was. I was so excited. I remember telling my father all about it. I mean, there was the President of the United States – I could almost reach out and touch him!”