Silverman Statement on the Death of Washington Teachers’ Union President Elizabeth Davis

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 2021 – D.C. Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large), chair of the Council’s Committee on Labor and Workforce Development, issued the following statement on the death of Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) President Elizabeth Davis:

I’m heartbroken over the death of Liz Davis. Liz was a passionate, relentless, fierce advocate for her teachers and for our DC Public Schools students. Right now, I’m looking at a text message Liz sent to me just a week ago at 11:06 p.m. It wasn’t unusual to hear from Liz at all hours of the day and night about schools issues. In these last few months, I worked closely with Liz on coordinating meetings between the unions and Chancellor Lewis Ferebee to reopen DC Public Schools. Her commitment to our teachers and our children was undeniable. She was a strong supporter of workers and unions in this city, and she and I bonded on that. I will miss her voice and her laugh. I will also miss the WTU cookouts Liz would host in her luscious backyard. My sincere and deepest condolences to her family and to the WTU.

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