Introduction
Education advocacy encompasses the collective efforts of individuals and organizations working to influence education policy, practice, and public opinion to improve educational opportunities and outcomes. Education advocates champion diverse causes—from equitable school funding to special education rights, from teacher working conditions to student mental health support. This comprehensive list highlights 100 of the most influential people in education advocacy, representing various movements, constituencies, issues, and approaches to creating change in education systems.
These influential advocates come from diverse backgrounds including civil rights organizations, parent groups, teacher unions, student movements, community-based organizations, legal advocacy, and grassroots activism. Their work spans local, state, national, and international contexts, employing strategies such as organizing, litigation, policy development, public awareness campaigns, and direct action. Through their advocacy efforts, these individuals have helped reshape education systems, expand educational rights, and amplify the voices of those who have historically been marginalized or excluded from education decision-making.
Civil Rights Education Advocates
1.Derrick Johnson
As President and CEO of the NAACP, Johnson leads the organization’s advocacy for educational equity, including campaigns against school segregation, discriminatory discipline policies, and inequitable school funding.
2.Sherrilyn Ifill
Former President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, leading litigation and advocacy on school desegregation, affirmative action, and resource equity in education.
3.Janai Nelson
President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, continuing the organization’s legacy of civil rights litigation in education while addressing contemporary challenges like book bans and curriculum restrictions.
4.Thomas Saenz
President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), advocating for Latino students through litigation and policy initiatives on issues including access to higher education for undocumented students.
5.Vanita Gupta
Former Associate Attorney General and former President of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, advocating for educational equity through civil rights enforcement and policy change.
6.Kristen Clarke
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, overseeing enforcement of civil rights laws in education, including protections against discrimination based on race, gender, disability, and religion.
7.Catherine Lhamon
Chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the Department of Education, known for her work on sexual assault prevention, LGBTQ+ student rights, and racial equity in school discipline.
8.Wade Henderson
Former President of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and counsel to the Leadership Conference Education Fund, advocating for equity-focused education policies.
9.John B. King Jr.
President of The Education Trust, former U.S. Secretary of Education, and former New York State Education Commissioner, advocating for policies that close opportunity gaps for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.
10.Lily Eskelsen García
Former President of the National Education Association and current U.S. Representative to UNESCO, advocating for educational equity, teacher rights, and public education.
Student Rights Advocates
11.Mary Beth Tinker
Plaintiff in the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines case whose continued advocacy focuses on student free speech rights and civic engagement in schools.
12.Judy Heumann
Late disability rights activist who pioneered advocacy for inclusive education, leading to the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 protections.
13.Emma González
Gun control activist and co-founder of March for Our Lives who emerged as a student advocate following the 2018 Parkland school shooting, advocating for school safety reforms.
14.David Hogg
Gun control activist and co-founder of March for Our Lives who has advocated for policy changes to prevent school shootings and promote student civic engagement.
15.Greta Thunberg
Climate activist whose school strikes for climate action inspired student environmental advocacy worldwide and raised awareness about climate education.
16.Malala Yousafzai
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of the Malala Fund, advocating globally for girls’ education and educational access in conflict zones.
17.Jonathan Kozol
Author and activist whose books including “Savage Inequalities” and “The Shame of the Nation” have exposed educational inequality and advocated for equitable school funding.
18.Jack Schneider
Education historian, author, and co-host of the Have You Heard podcast, advocating for public education and critiquing market-based education reforms.
19.Diane Ravitch
Education historian, former Assistant Secretary of Education, and founder of the Network for Public Education, advocating against privatization and high-stakes testing.
20.DeRay Mckesson
Civil rights activist, education leader, and host of Pod Save the People, advocating for educational equity and reform of school discipline policies.
Teacher and Education Worker Advocates
21.Randi Weingarten
President of the American Federation of Teachers, representing 1.7 million members and advocating for teacher rights, school funding, and public education.
22.Becky Pringle
President of the National Education Association, the largest labor union in the United States, advocating for education professionals and students across public education.
23.Cecily Myart-Cruz
President of United Teachers Los Angeles who led advocacy during teacher strikes for smaller class sizes, increased support staff, and community schools.
24.Jesse Sharkey
Former President of the Chicago Teachers Union who led advocacy for community schools, restorative justice practices, and equitable education funding.
25.Karen Lewis
Late former President of the Chicago Teachers Union whose leadership transformed teacher union advocacy to incorporate broader social justice and community concerns.
26.Noah Karvelis
Music teacher and co-founder of Arizona Educators United who helped organize the #RedForEd movement advocating for increased education funding and teacher pay.
27.Joe Thomas
President of the Arizona Education Association who has advocated for increased education funding, teacher retention, and resources for students.
28.Melissa Tomlinson
Public education advocate and organizer with Badass Teachers Association, advocating against corporate education reform and high-stakes testing.
29.Tanya Maloney
Education professor and former teacher whose advocacy focuses on preparing culturally responsive educators and supporting teacher activism.
30.Fred van Leeuwen
Former General Secretary of Education International, coordinating global advocacy for teachers’ rights, public education, and educational quality worldwide.
Parent and Family Advocates
31.Keri Rodrigues
Founding President of the National Parents Union, advocating for families to have a voice in education policy decisions and promoting parent-centered reforms.
32.Virginia Walden Ford
Education advocate whose work to empower low-income parents in Washington D.C. helped establish the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program and inspired the film “Miss Virginia.”
33.Andrew Campanella
President of National School Choice Week, advocating for various educational options for families including traditional public, charter, magnet, private, online, and homeschool education.
34.Zakiyah Ansari
Advocacy Director of the Alliance for Quality Education in New York, organizing parents to advocate for fully funded public schools and educational equity.
35.Lakisha Young
Founder and CEO of The Oakland REACH, mobilizing families in underserved communities to advocate for quality education and creating direct services like virtual hubs during the pandemic.
36.Karla Estrada
Co-founder of the Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network and education advocate focusing on the rights of disabled students, particularly those with intersectional identities.
37.Jitu Brown
National Director of the Journey for Justice Alliance, organizing parents and students in urban communities to advocate for sustainable community schools rather than school closures.
38.RiShawn Biddle
Editor and publisher of Dropout Nation and advocate focusing on school reform, particularly for Black families and communities.
39.Khulia Pringle
Parent advocate and organizer focusing on the needs of Black students and families in Minnesota and nationally, advocating for culturally responsive education.
40.Ben Austin
Founder of Parent Revolution who advocated for “parent trigger” laws allowing parents to initiate transformation of underperforming schools.
Special Education and Disability Rights Advocates
41.Denise Marshall
Executive Director of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), advocating for the legal and civil rights of students with disabilities and their families.
42.Julia Bascom
Executive Director of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, working to ensure that autistic students receive appropriate supports and accommodations in educational settings.
43.Lindsay Jones
President and CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, advocating for policies and practices that support students with learning disabilities.
44.Megan Bomgaars
Self-advocate with Down syndrome whose “Don’t Limit Me” video and advocacy work promotes inclusive education and high expectations for students with intellectual disabilities.
45.Daniel Habib
Filmmaker and disability rights advocate whose documentaries like “Including Samuel” and “Intelligent Lives” have raised awareness about inclusive education.
46.Kristin Garner-Timko
Special education advocate and attorney who represents families in IEP meetings and due process hearings, ensuring students with disabilities receive appropriate services.
47.Lou Brown
Pioneer in inclusive education for students with significant disabilities whose advocacy and research helped establish the right to education in the least restrictive environment.
48.Nicole Eredics
Inclusive education advocate, author of “Inclusion in Action,” and creator of The Inclusive Class website and podcast promoting practical approaches to inclusion.
49.Leslie Lipson
Civil rights attorney specializing in disability law whose advocacy focuses on ensuring that educational institutions comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and IDEA.
50.Claudia Gordon
The first deaf Black female attorney in the United States and disability rights advocate whose work includes education accessibility and civil rights enforcement.
Education Equity and Opportunity Advocates
51.Geoffrey Canada
Founder of Harlem Children’s Zone whose “cradle-to-career” approach has influenced education advocacy for comprehensive community-based solutions to educational inequality.
52.Sharif El-Mekki
Founder and CEO of the Center for Black Educator Development, advocating for increasing the number of Black educators and implementing culturally responsive teaching practices.
53.Pedro Noguera
Faculty Director of the Center for the Transformation of Schools at UCLA whose research and advocacy focus on addressing racial and economic inequality in education.
54.Linda Darling-Hammond
President of the Learning Policy Institute, professor emeritus at Stanford University, and president of the California State Board of Education, advocating for evidence-based policies to improve teaching and learning.
55.Erik Clemons
CEO of ConnCAT (Connecticut Center for Arts and Technology) and education advocate focusing on career training and economic opportunity in underserved communities.
56.Eva Moskowitz
Founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools, advocating for charter schools and educational methods that close achievement gaps.
57.Howard Fuller
Former Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent and founder of the Institute for the Transformation of Learning at Marquette University, advocating for educational options for low-income families.
58.David Banks
Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education and founder of the Eagle Academy for Young Men, advocating for educational approaches that support young men of color.
59.Peggy McIntosh
Founder of the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), advocating for inclusive curriculum and pedagogy through teacher-led professional development.
60.Gloria Ladson-Billings
Professor and researcher whose concept of “culturally relevant pedagogy” has influenced advocacy for teaching practices that affirm students’ cultural identities while promoting academic success.
LGBTQ+ Education Advocates
61.Eliza Byard
Former Executive Director of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies, anti-bullying initiatives, and supporting GSA clubs in schools.
62.Shannon Minter
Legal Director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights whose advocacy and litigation has advanced protections for LGBTQ+ students, including transgender youth in schools.
63.Harper Keenan
Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia whose research and advocacy focus on supporting transgender and gender-expansive students and educators.
64.Amber Briggle
Parent advocate who has testified before state legislatures against anti-transgender legislation affecting school policies and healthcare access.
65.Chase Strangio
Deputy Director for Transgender Justice at the ACLU LGBT & HIV Project, leading litigation challenging restrictions on transgender students’ rights in educational settings.
66.Melanie Willingham-Jaggers
Executive Director of GLSEN, continuing the organization’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ students’ rights and inclusive school environments.
67.Alex Sheldon
Executive Director of GLSEN, advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusive policies in schools nationwide.
68.Stephanie Byers
Former Kansas state representative and the first transgender Native American person elected to a state legislature, advocating for LGBTQ+ student rights based on her experience as a teacher.
69.Gavin Grimm
Transgender rights activist whose lawsuit against his school board for the right to use facilities matching his gender identity reached the Supreme Court and established important precedents for transgender student rights.
70.Evie Blad
Education Week reporter specializing in LGBTQ+ issues in schools, whose journalistic work has raised awareness about challenges facing LGBTQ+ students and educators.
Higher Education Access Advocates
71.Sara Goldrick-Rab
Founder of the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, advocating for addressing basic needs insecurity among college students and reducing financial barriers to higher education.
72.Nicole Lynn Lewis
Founder and CEO of Generation Hope, advocating for college student parents and their children through direct support services and systems change.
73.Anthony Abraham Jack
Author of “The Privileged Poor” and sociologist whose research and advocacy focus on the experiences of low-income students at elite universities.
74.Bridget Terry Long
Dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education whose research and advocacy work focuses on college access, financial aid simplification, and student success.
75.Robert Shireman
Director of Higher Education Excellence at The Century Foundation and former Deputy Undersecretary of Education, advocating for student loan reform and for-profit college accountability.
76.Daniel Porterfield
President and CEO of the Aspen Institute and former college president whose advocacy focuses on expanding college access for talented students from low-income backgrounds.
77.Shaun Harper
Executive Director of the USC Race and Equity Center whose research and advocacy address racial equity in higher education admissions, experiences, and outcomes.
78.Jamie Merisotis
President and CEO of Lumina Foundation, advocating for increased higher education attainment, particularly for historically underrepresented groups.
79.Ted Mitchell
President of the American Council on Education, advocating for higher education institutions and policies that promote access, innovation, and student success.
80.Richard Kahlenberg
Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation whose advocacy focuses on economic integration in K-12 education and class-based affirmative action in college admissions.
Global Education Advocates
81.Gordon Brown
Former UK Prime Minister and United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, advocating for education in emergency situations and universal primary education.
82.Graça Machel
International advocate for women’s and children’s rights, former Minister of Education in Mozambique, and co-founder of the Graça Machel Trust, which advocates for girls’ education across Africa.
83.Kailash Satyarthi
Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement), advocating against child labor and for universal education.
84.Baela Raza Jamil
CEO of Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA) in Pakistan and founder of the Children’s Literature Festival, advocating for quality education, particularly for girls.
85.Leslee Udwin
Founder and CEO of Think Equal, advocating for social and emotional learning as a compulsory subject on global education curricula.
86.Refaat Sabbah
President of the Global Campaign for Education and founder of the Teacher Creativity Center in Palestine, advocating for education as a human right in conflict zones.
87.Camilla Croso
Former President of the Global Campaign for Education and Latin American Campaign for the Right to Education, advocating for education as a public good against privatization.
88.Rasheda K. Chowdhury
Executive Director of the Campaign for Popular Education in Bangladesh and former education minister, advocating for quality public education in developing contexts.
89.David Archer
Head of Public Services at ActionAid and co-founder of the Global Campaign for Education, advocating against education privatization and for tax justice to fund public education.
90.Julia Gillard
Former Australian Prime Minister and Chair of the Global Partnership for Education, advocating for international development aid focused on education, particularly for girls.
Emerging Advocacy Voices
91.Carlil Pittman
Co-founder of GoodKids MadCity in Chicago, advocating for resources for youth development as an alternative to school policing and punitive discipline.
92.Mari Copeny
Young activist known as “Little Miss Flint” who has advocated for clean water in schools and educational equity, highlighting the connection between environmental justice and education.
93.Heather Booth
Democracy advocate and founder of the Midwest Academy, training generations of education organizers in effective advocacy strategies.
94.Timothy Shriver
Chairman of Special Olympics and advocate for inclusive education and social and emotional learning through initiatives like CASEL and Unified Champion Schools.
95.Raquel Willis
Transgender rights activist whose work includes advocating for transgender students’ rights and inclusive curriculum through media platforms and organizational leadership.
96.Alejandro Diasgranados
Award-winning teacher and advocate for educational equity whose classroom practice and public voice highlight the needs of students in underserved communities.
97.Aaliyah Samuel
President and CEO of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), advocating for whole-child approaches to education.
98.Clint Smith
Author, poet, and staff writer at The Atlantic whose work explores educational inequality and the legacy of slavery in American education.
99.Greisa Martinez Rosas
Executive Director of United We Dream, advocating for educational access and rights for undocumented students, including protection of the DACA program.
100.Rashad Robinson
President of Color Of Change whose digital civil rights advocacy includes educational equity issues, anti-racist curriculum, and addressing discrimination in schools.
Conclusion
Education advocacy continues to evolve, responding to persistent challenges of inequality and injustice while also addressing emerging issues from technological change to global crises. The individuals highlighted in this list represent the diverse approaches, constituencies, and strategies that collectively work to transform education systems to better serve all learners.
Effective education advocacy operates across multiple levels—from grassroots organizing to policy development, from legal challenges to public awareness campaigns, from student activism to parent engagement. The most influential advocates often combine deep knowledge of educational issues with skillful communication, strategic coalition-building, and persistent commitment to change.
The diversity of voices represented in this list reflects the complex landscape of educational challenges and the many constituencies with a stake in educational improvement. From civil rights organizations to teacher unions, from disability rights advocates to proponents of educational choice, these individuals collectively demonstrate that education advocacy encompasses many perspectives united by a common belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities.
As we navigate complex educational challenges in the years ahead—from pandemic recovery to persistent inequality, from technological disruption to political polarization—the role of education advocates in shaping responsive, equitable, and effective education systems will remain crucial to creating learning opportunities that fulfill education’s promise as a public good and a human right.
