Several hundred paraprofessionals who contribute to COPE, the union’s political action fund, attended a performance of “Suffs,” the Broadway musical about women’s battle for the right to vote, as an expression of thanks from the UFT. AFT President Randi Weingarten and UFT Vice President for Education Mary Vaccaro participated in a talkback after the show. “We know paraprofessionals will come if we need them to leaflet or phone bank,” said UFT Political Director Vanecia Wilson. “Our goal was to show our gratitude for their activism and let them know we value what they do in the classroom.” The topic of the play, she said, was timely at a moment when women’s reproductive rights are being stripped away. “The play is saying, ‘Your vote counts, your activism matters,’” Wilson said. “It all came together perfectly.” Katina Budhai, a paraprofessional at PS 76 in Manhattan, said the determination of suffragist Alice Paul inspired her to persevere. “In the classroom, you have to fight for what you want and need,” she said. “You have to have passion in your work just like she had that passion to keep fighting.”