Patricia Stryker ’57

Since her days on 71st Street, Patricia Stryker ’57 has spent her career lifting her community. After majoring in Economics at MMC, Stryker went on to obtain her master’s from the Bank Street College of Education in 1971. She served as a devoted educator in the NYC public school system for 17 years, during which time she became an active member of her teachers’ union. Once elected District Representative for the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), Stryker left her teaching career to focus on her new role.  

She rose through the ranks over the years, serving as the Political and Legislative Director for the UFT for 10 years and then as Legislative Director for the Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education for three years. In 1990, Stryker joined Teamsters Local 237, a public sector union in New York City. From 2003–2018, Stryker served as a labor trustee for the New York City Employees’ Retirement System, which today is a $68 billion fund. She has been an advocate for thousands of New York City employees and demonstrated a particular commitment to empowering and uplifting women in the workplace, founding the Local 237 Women’s Committee. Her long career has been characterized by distinguished leadership ability and a persistent dedication to building a more inclusive and representative New York.  

Stryker retired on March 31, 2018—her 83rd birthday and a day officially declared “Patricia Stryker Day” by mayoral proclamation! In the proclamation, Mayor Bill de Blasio celebrated Stryker’s many achievements, saying, “Throughout her professional career, Patricia Stryker has exemplified the integrity and incredible commitment to service that has long defined New Yorkers, and she has used her knowledge, experience, and leadership to help make our city a better place.”