William McNary is one of the most electrifying and inspirational speakers of our time. Since 2000, McNary has served as President of USAction, the nation’s largest coalition of progressive grassroots organizations working together to win social, racial, economic and environmental justice.
Born in his parent’s home on Chicago’s South Side in 1952, the mark of progressive leadership was already on his life; he was delivered by a physician named Dr. Breedlove. McNary learned in his early years how progressive ideals can improve the quality of life for real people when his father was able to stop working multiple jobs in favor of a single union job, giving him much more time to spend with the family.
As an aspiring journalist and president of the Black Student Union at the University of Iowa, McNary had dreams of becoming a voice of and for the people when he was a young man. Today, as one of the most prolific leaders and speakers of the progressive movement, he is living that dream. After coming to Chicago as a single parent of 3, in pursuit of a career in political activism, William landed a job as a door to door canvasser for Illinois Public Action. Within seven months, McNary moved up the ranks becoming a canvass trainer, field director then canvass director. After serving more than a dozen years as the legislative director, McNary became the Co-director of Citizen Action Illinois and President of USAction.
Over five election cycles, McNary has worked with the Rainbow/Push Coalition where he co-directed targeted voter registration and "Get Out the Vote" campaign efforts. He serves on the boards of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, Women’s Voices Women Vote, and Public Campaign, a Washington, D.C.-based organization dedicated to public financing of elections. He has run Leadership Training forums where he teaches everyday citizens how to effectively lobby the legislature. These groups have included the AARP, the Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities, the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and the NAACP.
William is also committed to mentoring young progressives and passing the baton of leadership to them.
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