Mary Astrid Bergan

Mary Astrid Bergan died November 30, 2023 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, after a long illness. She was a decades long and proud resident of Oakland, CA until recent health concerns prompted a return to the Midwest. She was born on September 13, 1941 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Harold Bergan and Helen Thompson Bergan. She grew up just across the state line in Winthrop Harbor, known as "the cornerstone of Illinois".After graduating from Holy Child High School in Waukegan, Illinois, she attended Loyola University in Chicago, then headed to the West Coast and graduated from UC Berkeley in 1965. She joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to Malaysia where she spent two years teaching English language and literature, and also coaching Malay girls into a championship relay team. Once home, she became a middle school English teacher in Pittsburg, California.Throughout her life she was active in the Democratic Party. In her later years, recalling a visit of Governor Adlai Stevenson to her family home when she was a young girl, she stated "I haven't been nervous around a politician since then because none was his equal".Her life of service stemmed from a Kennedy-era idealism that took her first to the Peace Corps and on to classroom teaching and ultimately an enduring leadership role in education unionism. Mary dedicated her professional life to improving working conditions for educational employees in particular and working people in general. She had a profound and lasting impact on the course of the California Federation of Teachers, AFT, AFL-CIO. Mary served as CFT president for 16 years and worked for the union for 35 years. She was a product of her family's politics and the dynamic era of the 1960s, putting her convictions into practical action that changed the lives of millions of people.As a new teacher, Mary joined the Pittsburg-Antioch Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Local 2001. This marked the beginning of her union career with the CFT and AFT. Her keen sense of analysis won the attention of the CFT president, who brought her onto staff. Mary became a field representative for CFT and then the union's first full-time lobbyist. As the statewide union's legislative director, she helped the CFT bring collective bargaining rights for teachers and classified staff to Governor Jerry Brown's desk for signature in 1975. Mary's strong political sense earned her the respect of legislators. In 1978, and several subsequent years, she was rated top lobbyist in Sacramento by California Journal. She said the key to her success was based on a simple strategy: "Read every word of proposed legislation and be thoroughly familiar, know where the legislators are, get there first, get their attention and vote, and leave last."She was elected CFT President in 1991. She possessed a calm, understated leadership style with an uncanny ability to connect members and local union leaders with significant roles in the union. Union membership tripled under her leadership, and union staffing doubled and diversified to meet the growing needs.Mary also helped shape national policy when she was elected a vice president of the American Federation of Teachers, CFT's national affiliate. As the only woman to serve as CFT President in the union's modern era and with the union's majority female membership her commitment to women's rights never wavered. She was a member of the Union Women's Alliance to Gain Equality (Union WAGE), and in 1974, became a founding member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women. She served on its national executive board and as president of the East Bay chapter for many years.In 2009, the California Federation of Teachers recognized Mary with its highest honor, the Ben Rust Award. Her advocacy, leadership and intellect have left a lasting legacy in the labor movement and beyond.In her retirement, she continued her advocacy with the League of Women Voters, as well as numerous civic and labor organizations. She loved the theater, art, music, and lectures, and was always ready to enjoy fine food and good wine with friends and family. Mary maintained a beautiful yard and garden at her Oakland home. She was a lifelong learner who traveled extensively. Mary was a loving and generous friend, sister, and aunt. She is survived by sisters Martha O'Halloran (Michael) and Kathleen Bergan Schmidt (Lawrence), and brother Harold Bergan Jr. (Susan Hundt Bergan), as well as nieces Teresa O'Halloran (Jeremy Pohl), Peggy O'Halloran (Jon Shemick), Kate Bergan Porter, and nephews Patrick Lee-O'Halloran (Ali), Lars Bergan (Corina), and Christopher Schmidt. Also survived by nine great-nieces and nephews.Services will be held at a later date. Memorials may be sent to League of Women Voters Oakland, PO Box 11055, Oakland, CA 94611, or to any educational, literacy, or arts entities. Or plant a tree in her name.Online condolences at chippewavalleycremation.com.