John Bligh
- Retired paraprofessional
Florence Fidell, a driving force in the early days of the UFT’s Paraprofessionals Chapter, went on to serve as a coordinator of the Palm Beach office of the Retired Teachers Chapter and was active in the RTC’s political operation in Florida.
“Florence was one of our fiercest advocates,” UFT President Michael Mulgrew said.
Florence died on Sept. 8, 2022, of complications from the coronavirus. She was 92.
“Feisty was the quietest way of describing her,” Mulgrew told a meeting of chapter leaders shortly after Florence died.
Shelvy Young-Abrams, the longtime leader of the Paraprofessionals Chapter, expressed similar sentiments. “She was a force to be reckoned with,” Young-Abrams said. “She did not bite her tongue: It came from the heart, not the lip.”
Florence “could stand up in an audience, and everyone would get quiet,” Young-Abrams said. “When it came to business, she knew exactly what she wanted to do, and she would not be swayed.”
Velma Hill, the chapter’s first leader, credited Florence with helping to organize the Paraprofessionals Chapter, which was created in 1969 after a hotly contested election in which paras narrowly chose representation by the UFT over District Council 37. Florence implemented Hill’s idea for a newsletter, The Parascope, and served as its editor for an extended period, said Hill.
Florence “was a really quick study,” said Hill, the chapter leader for more than a decade. “She was really important to the Paraprofessionals Chapter and has a legacy of dedication and commitment to the teacher union movement.”
Florence was also the first paraprofessional ever elected to serve as chapter leader of a school.
Young-Abrams said Florence was involved in the advisory committee that produced a significant salary increase for paras in 1970 in their first UFT-negotiated contract, which also greatly enhanced their chances for advancement by creating a career ladder, with the city’s then-Board of Education paying for paras’ college tuition.
“Thousands of paras got their degrees” as a result, Young-Abrams said, with many going on to become teachers.
Young-Abrams said Florence was also “instrumental” during the late 1970s in helping to design the rules and regulations for paras working in District 75.
Florence, who grew up in the West Bronx and graduated from Taft HS and Manhattan Community College, began her career as a paraprofessional in the early 1960s at PS 152 in Manhattan. According to her son, Glenn, less than a decade into her career, Hill brought Florence into full-time union work, first as a para representative for Manhattan and the Bronx and then as a citywide para representative. She later served as the chapter’s first vice chairperson.
After retiring, Florence moved to Florida and played a key role in the UFT’s political operation there as one of the coordinators of the Palm Beach office and a part-time representative in the Boca Raton office.
“She knew all the local politicians; she was very active in Democratic politics,” RTC Chapter Leader Tom Murphy recalled. “She was very committed to voter registration.”
Murphy said Florence helped what had originally been a group of 1,800 paras that affiliated with the UFT become “one of our largest functional chapters,” with more than 27,000 members.
UFT retiree Ken Goodfriend, who served for a decade as the RTC’s Florida political action coordinator, said Florence’s knowledge of the political scene was so extensive that “members knew they could call her and she would know which person to speak to” about their issues.
“She was dynamic,” Young-Abrams said. “I learned a lot from her.”
Florence retired in 2019 after half a century of union work.
When Florence wasn’t channeling her energies into her union work, she enjoyed dancing and socializing.
In addition to her son Glenn, Florence is also survived by a daughter, Lauri Fidell Granoff, and three grandchildren.
Just read on the website that Florence Fidel passed over a year ago. First met her, as did Philip Jack, at PS 152 in the same classes as her son Glenn. Met her again as a para at JFK HS awaiting my teaching license, and again as a JFK teacher delegate at many UFT delegate assemblies. She always guided me as the mom I knew when we first met and never steered me wrong as a child or an adult. Even though it’s been years since we last spoke, she still brings a smile to my face. Rest in peace, you deserve it.
Just heard today at the UFT Retired Chapter meeting that Florence Fidell had passed away recently.
I first knew her as Glenn’s mother; Glenn and I went through elementary school together at PS 152. I re-met her as an adult at the UFT.
As the old guard leaves, we carry on.
Untold tens of thousands of paraprofessionals moved from paltry salaries to fair salaries and pensions, thousands became teachers through the career ladder program and Florence was at the heart of fight, we salute and honor her lifetime of trade unionism
Florence Fidel  was a wonderful human being. When we moved to Florida, she was the one that helped me with everything that I needed to know. Very sad that she passed.
Rest In Peace. My deepest condolences to her family.
Rest In Peace. My deepest condolences to her family.
My deepest condolence to Ms. Florence family. I am thankful for everything she did for us Para’s. Million thanks Ms. Florence for the support, dedication and fight so we could have a better future. RIP
Thank you for all you did, Ms. Florence. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
THANK YOU FOR OPENING DOORS FOR OUR FELLOW PARAPROFESSIONALS. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE .
Rest in Peace Ms Fideli,
You have paved the way for so many Paraprofessionals .
Your journey throughout life was amazing .
Keep. Flying like a beautiful. DOVE!!! Florence
I met her once in a UFT workshop. She was a warrior. My condolences to the family of Ms. Fidel. My she Rest In Peace.
So sorry to hear about Ms. Fidell. She left us with memory that we will not forget.
I never met her however her fighting spirit was amazing defending paraprofessional.
My condolence goes out her family
I never met her however her fighting spirit was amazing defending paraprofessional.
RIP
I never got to meet you. But I wanted to say thank you for your many years of service.
And for paving the way for so many of us who have chosen the profession. You were
a true leader in every sense of the word. My condolences to your family.
in Solidarity,
F. Rubinos
Hello, it is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences to Florence Fidell’s family. She was truly a game changer in the political and educational arena. Florence wore many hats and she excelled at them all. She will definitely be missed.
Thank you Ms. Florence may your beautiful soul rest in heavenly peace, I salute you!
Thank you Ms. Florence you paved the way for myself and countless others. May your beautiful soul rest in heavenly peace, I salute you!
Thank you Ms. Florence we wouldn’t be where we are today without you, you paved the way for myself and countless others. May your beautiful soul rest in heavenly peace, I salute you!
This is a great & interesting story of how Ms Florence Fidell a Paraprofessional played a top role in the Bd of Ed – for the rights of all Paras to having better opportunities as to attending colleges & more!
My deepest sympathy to the family & pray they are doing well during these hard times. Blessings to the family!
A life well lived. Condolences to her family and close friends. Prayers as she rests in peace.
This is a great & interesting story to know how Florence Fidell (Paraprofessional) played a key role (Board of Education) in the fight of significantly increasing salaries and career opportunities for us Paraprofessionals of today where many have accomplished in receiving Colleges Degrees, moving up & more.
My deepest sympathy to the family & pray they are doing well during these hard times. Blessings to the family!
May she find her rest in paradise ! We are benefiting from her hard work! Sincere condolences.
My condolences to her and family.
My condolences to her and family.
Rest in Peace. Your job here is done now…relax in heaven with the angels. Thank you for all you did to help paras and the children.
I am a Paraprofessional and am very impressed & grateful to Ms. Fidell. She was a true trailblazer. My condolences to her family. May she Rest In Peace.
Thank you my friends
Although I did not meet Florence personally I admire everything she accomplished in her life may she rest in eternal peace knowing that her work on earth will live on with all the ParaProfessionals that were able to achieve their goals. I thank you for the opportunity to read about her beautiful life❤️❤️
I am so sorry I didn’t know her sounds like a great person
My aunt Florence was an amazing woman. She always had something political and motivating to say. I am proud to also be a member of the UFT.