Childhood and Education Journey of Randi Weingarten in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 14, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Randi Weingarten. A timeline of key moments.

Randi Weingarten is a prominent American labor leader, attorney, and educator. She is the current president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) since 2008, a major labor union affiliated with the AFL-CIO. Before leading the AFT, Weingarten served as president of New York City’s United Federation of Teachers (UFT). Her career includes roles as the UFT’s chief negotiator and counsel, and as a social studies teacher at Clara Barton High School. She is recognized as the first openly gay person to head a national American labor union.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

December 18, 1957: Randi Weingarten's Birth

On December 18, 1957, Rhonda "Randi" Weingarten was born.

1957: Birth in New York City

In 1957, Randi Weingarten was born in New York City to Gabriel and Edith (Appelbaum) Weingarten.

1980: Received B.S. Degree from Cornell University

In 1980, Randi Weingarten received a B.S. degree in labor relations from the ILR School at Cornell University.

1983: Received J.D. Degree from Yeshiva University

In 1983, Randi Weingarten received a J.D. degree from the Yeshiva University Cardozo School of Law.

1986: Appointed Adjunct Instructor

In 1986, Randi Weingarten was appointed as an adjunct instructor at the Cardozo School of Law.

1991: Taught at Clara Barton High School

In 1991, Randi Weingarten began teaching at Clara Barton High School in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

1997: End of teaching career at Clara Barton High School

In 1997, Randi Weingarten ended her teaching career at Clara Barton High School in Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

November 2001: Michael Bloomberg Defeated Green in the Election

In November 2001, Michael Bloomberg defeated Green in the election.

October 11, 2007: Publicly announced she is a lesbian

On October 11, 2007, Randi Weingarten publicly announced that she is a lesbian while accepting the Empire State Pride Agenda's 2007 Community Service Award and introduced her partner, Liz Margolies.

October 2007: New Bronx apartment complex opened to UFT members

In October 2007, Randi Weingarten announced that a new apartment complex in the Bronx would be exclusively available to UFT members, addressing the affordability challenges faced by teachers wanting to live and raise families in the city.

2008: Elected President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

In 2008, Randi Weingarten became president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), an affiliate of the AFL–CIO. She is the first openly gay person elected to lead a national American labor union.

December 2012: Relationship with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum

In December 2012, Randi Weingarten was in a relationship with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.

December 2014: Wrote about almost being raped

In December 2014, Randi Weingarten wrote in Jezebel about an experience where she had almost been raped just after her junior year in college.

March 25, 2018: Married Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum

On March 25, 2018, Randi Weingarten married Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum of Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.

2023: Response to Marjorie Taylor Greene about being a mother

In 2023, Randi Weingarten responded to Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) that she was a mother by marriage after being asked if she was a mother.