Cathleen Healey was Union fighter

By Lotty Blumenthal

Cathleen Healey was one of the most active organizers for the Union during the years of its greatest power. She was able to see the video created by the Illinois Federation of Teachers in honor of her late husband prior to her death last month.

Cathleen Kahn was a delegate and union activist when she met Robert Healey. After marriage, she was not the kind of wife who made home a place away from his work. She was part of his work.

She was one of the founders of the Women’s Rights Committee of the Chicago Teachers Union and one of those who helped found The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). Whenever Bob Lippa or Bob Fortini gave me a megaphone to talk to picket lines in central locations like at Pershing Road or Young High School, Cathy was at the front of that picket line always with two hands wrapped around a picket sign held high. She was as strong as she was beautiful in and out.

We had brunch at the old Ina’s a few years ago and talked about helping (with Erica Marshall) Estelle Schwartz lead her picket line at Piccolo. We would take over so that Estelle could go to a back door for a list of scabs from the whole district from a friendly administrator.

Last fall, she attended the CTU and RTAC retiree banquets and stood to vote in an upset vote. Her smile and activism will carry over — both here and there.

They played Ave Maria at her funeral at Old St. Patrick’s Church on April 4, 2003. Her daughter Liz spoke for the family and told of her dedication to the union and to the American Liver Foundation (rising to Vice-President of the Chicago Chapter and founding its annual dinner fundraiser as well as other accomplishments).

Even with failing health, she had attended the last American Federation of Teachers and Illinois Federation of Teachers conferences. She appeared with her family at the IFT convention just two months earlier to view the new IFT video dedicated to her late husband’s memory. The same video formed part of the CTU leadership weekend on March 28 and 29.

One week later, Cathy Healey was reunited with her husband.

One way to honor her memory: The Illinois chapter of the Liver Foundation is at 27 E. Monroe St. 700A, Chicago, IL 60603. 312-377-9030