Tulsa family has been fighting for education funding for 47 years
TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The kitchen table at Dr. Sylvia Chandler’s home is covered with memories.
One proud item is a "Mayor-opoly Board" from when her mother, Tracie, taught social studies classes.
“I’ve been a teacher all my life,” said Tracie Chandler. “I was born a teacher.”
Education has played a major role in their lives. Tracie was a teacher for 38 years. Sylvia has been a school counselor for almost ten years. Times have changed, but certain things have not.
“I called my momma and said, 'Momma is that right?'” said Sylvia. “Forty-seven years? Forty-seven years we’ve been asking for better pay?”
When Tracie started teaching in 1971, and the family of three lived off of $500 a month.
“You know how we made it? At that time, I could go to Church’s Chicken and feed us,” said Tracie. “Three people for two dollars, that’s what I did.”
Tracie fought for pay raises in the '80s, walked out in the '90s, and today she watches her daughter juggle three jobs on top of being a school counselor.
“I say I put in more than 80 hours a week working,” said Sylvia.
She said it’s been decades since her mom started fighting for more funding, but the time is now.
“It shouldn’t take that long. In 1990, we were on the picket line with my mom. It’s 2018 and she’s on the picket line with us,” said Sylvia.
