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Secretary-Treasurer

Shellye Davis

Shellye M. Davis is a trailblazer whose extraordinary career spans more than three decades at the forefront of education, labor leadership, and community empowerment in Connecticut and beyond.

A devoted paraeducator for over 30 years, Shellye has shaped countless lives with her dedication to student success, workforce development, and the dignity of the education profession. For more than a dozen years, she has been a driving force in organized labor, advocating for equity, opportunity, and the voices of those too often unheard.

Shellye's leadership is both wide-reaching and deeply rooted. She serves as President of the Hartford Federation of Paraeducators Local 2221 of the American Federation of Teachers after years as Co-President. She is Divisional Vice President for Paraprofessional and School Related Personnel of AFT Connecticut and one of only 28 members nationwide entrusted with shaping policy on AFT’s Policy and Planning Committee. In the halls of power, she co-chairs the State of Connecticut Paraeducator Advisory Committee and is a steadfast member of the Board of Education Coalition Leadership Group.

Beyond education, Shellye's influence resonates across the labor movement. She is President of the Greater Hartford Labor Coalition, Secretary-Treasurer of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, and Co-Chair of the AFL-CIO Racial and Economic Justice Committee. As a member of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, she bridges the worlds of community service and labor advocacy.

Her impact has been recognized by numerous honors, including the 2015 AFT Connecticut Unionist of the Year Award, the 2019 AMISTAD Award, the 2019 Joseph H. Soifer Award for distinguished service to the labor movement, the 2022 Roving Ambassador for Peace Award, the 2025 Windsor Phenomenal Woman Award, and the 2025 Shiloh Baptist Church Woman of the Year Award.

Throughout her career, Shellye has testified before the State Legislature, championed groundbreaking legislation on family leave and retirement security, and stood shoulder to shoulder with governors and lawmakers to advance the cause of paraprofessionals. She has collaborated with organizations large and small to ensure that every student, educator, and worker has an advocate.

Above all, Shellye is guided by an unwavering belief that collective action and community voice can transform lives. She is an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church, a proud mother of three adult children, and a devoted grandmother of two.