Meet
Lanetta Thomas
District 9
Organizer. CPS Parent. Veteran.
Lanetta Thomas is a dedicated U.S. Army Veteran and mother of four, including two children with special needs. She is deeply committed to her community and the future of Chicago's children. As a product of the Chicago Public School system, she understands the unique challenges and opportunities within CPS. In 2010, Lanetta was a student organizer fighting against school closings and school privatization, she will bring her wealth of experience as an organizer, parent, and veteran to the Chicago Board of Education.
Rooted in community
Lanetta is running for the Chicago Board of Education to guarantee every child has access to a quality education because she believes that our future depends on how we nurture and educate the next generation.
As a CPS student, she organized to fight against school closures and privatization. Now, as a disabled veteran and mother of four, two of whom have special needs, Lanetta’s personal experiences have fueled her passion for activism.
Over the past 5 years, she has worked with organizations like SOUL (Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation) to address issues affecting marginalized communities in Chicago, particularly Black and Brown communities.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lanetta distributed care packages and helped with free cancer screenings for community members, demonstrating her commitment to service and support for her community.