Charles J. Hendley

Charles James Hendley (June 4, 1881 – December 23, 1962) was an American teacher, education reformer, and union activist. He served as president of the New York City Teachers Union (TU) from 1935 to 1945 (just after a minority split off to form the New York City Teachers Guild).

Background

Charles James Hendley was born on June 4, 1881, in North Carolina. His father was Alvis Francis Hendley, section foreman on the Southern Railway.

In 1905, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Later, he earned an M.A. degree from Columbia University. In 1937, the Socialist Party asked Hendley not to run again: Hendley won 3,333 votes of 3,411. His secretary at the TU was Dorothy Wallace, who was the sister of Dale Zysman, TU vice president. During his tenure as president, the Central Trades and Labor Council expelled the TU (and the ILGWU, as Hendley pointed out during testimony in 1952). the American Federation of Labor also expelled the TU while he was president. After retirement, Hendley served on TU's Executive Board, on its Educational Policies Committee, and as director of the Teachers Union Institute. He remained a TU member until his death in 1965.