In 1897, Chicago teachers organized the Chicago Teachers Federation (CTF) to fight for regular salaries and pensions in what was at time a primarily all-female profession. In 1898, Maragret Haley joined the all-female CTF and led the fight for equal pay with men. In 1902, Chicago teachers, with support from parents and students, went on strike to defend a teacher who was unfairly suspended. This strike led to the growth of the CTF and in 1916 Chicago teachers were instrumental in the formation of the American Federation of Teachers. During the Great Depression, teachers had to fight for payment while Chicago permitted banks and corporation to fault on taxes. This led to competing teacher unions joining into a single organization, the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU). In 1966 the CTU was officially recognize by the city of Chicago as the official bargaining agent for Chicago teachers and it negotiated the first citywide teachers’ contract in 1967. The CTU has gone on strike seven times and has secured improved learning and working conditions, limits on class size, preparation periods for teachers, and money for classroom supplies. In 1968, wildcat strikes led by Black teachers protested against racist hiring and promotion practices and certification policies. In 2012, under the leadership of Karen Lewis, the CTU organized widespread community support for a strike that challenged reforms designed to weaken the union and that would be deleterious to student learning. In 2018, the CTU expanded its fight to defend professionalism for teacher and staff in charter schools. Throughout this period the Chicago Teachers Union has been at the forefront of defending teacher professionalism, student learning, and mobilizing communities to defend public education. In an era when public education and teacher unions are under attack, it is a model for progressive resistance. Participants include the President and a former Preident of the Chicago Teachers Union.