The Illinois Federation of Teachers established the Robert G, Porter Scholarship to honor the late Illinois educator, union activist and secretary-treasurer of the American Federation of Teachers.

Porter spent his early years in education as a civics teacher in East S10 Louis, Illinois. He served as treasurer of the East S10 Louis Federation of Teachers, Local 1220, and played an integral part in one of the first representation election victories between an American Federation of Teachers local and the National Education Association.

In 1960, Porter became the administrative aide to AFT President Carl Megel at the union's national headquarters, then located in Chicago. He was instrumental in chartering many AFT locals in Illinois, building the foundation for the strong 1FT that today represents more than 90,000 men and women.

Porter was a driving force in the nationwide battle to win collective bargaining rights for teachers. His idea to expand membership in the AFT by reaching out to non-teaching school employees, higher education faculty, health-care professionals, nurses and public employees was a major factor in the AFT's status as one of the nation's fastest growing unions.

Porter served as AFT secretary-treasurer from 1963. until his death in November 1991. The AFT grew from 50,000 members to nearly 800,000 during his 28 years as secretary-treasurer.

For many 1FT members, Bob Porter was "Mr. AFT." To honor his lifelong commitment to education and to the labor movement, the Illinois Federation of Teachers established this scholarship in his name.