The Founders’ Legacy: Copeland, Cantrell, and the Birth of PAGE

Early PAGE founders’ meeting.

In 1975, the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE) began as little more than a bold idea. Today, it stands as the largest independent educator association in the nation, representing 93,000 professionals throughout Georgia. At its heart, the story of PAGE begins with the story of its founders—Paul Copeland and Lillian Cantrell—and 16 charter members and a handful of educators who joined together to create an independent, non-partisan association. Copeland and Cantrell’s determination and vision drew the interest and commitment of like-minded educators.

Copeland, then personnel director for DeKalb County Schools, recognized a growing concern among educators that the predominate national educator organization was pushing for mandatory dues and collective bargaining measures that left teachers with little choice and threatened to disrupt classroom instruction. Copeland believed Georgia educators needed something different: a professional association that strongly advocated for teachers’ rights, elevated the profession, and placed students first.

Copeland presents a certificate to Cantrell.

Standing alongside him was Lillian Cantrell, an elementary school principal in the same school district. A respected educator and leader, Cantrell saw firsthand how teachers longed for an organization that provided essential protection, professional development, and advocacy without compromising independence or pushing non-education-related political issues. Building a new association required extraordinary effort. She rallied many educators to volunteer evenings and weekends. Her school effectively became the association’s headquarters.

Together, Copeland and Cantrell presented PAGE as a new model for educators, not just an alternative. They organized statewide outreach, hosted the first meetings, and defined the principles that would set PAGE apart: educators must be free to choose their affiliations, teachers must have opportunity to advocate for their professional needs and professional learning, and students must never face interrupted learning because of labor disputes.

In May 1975, PAGE was officially incorporated, with Copeland, Cantrell, and 16 educators named on the charter document (charter members listed on next page). Copeland served as interim president until Cantrell became the first elected president. They guided the association through its precarious early years, with Lillian stepping up twice more as president. Before the end of the decade, membership grew to 1,000—evidence that the PAGE message of professionalism and independence resonated with Georgia educators.

The legacy of Copeland and Cantrell lives on in every PAGE initiative today—whether in legal protection, legislative advocacy, coaching, or professional learning. They did more than found an organization; they set a standard for independent educator associations that would follow in other states.

PAGE honors the courage and leadership of its founders and charter members. Their vision continues to light the way forward, reminding educators throughout Georgia that professionalism, advocacy, independence, and commitment to student learning remain the bedrock of PAGE.

Charter Members Founders

Paul Copeland

Lillian Cantrell

Otis Abernathy

Larry Berry

Lillian Cantrell

Ed Cone

Paul Copeland

Jesse Dixon

Robert M. Gaines

Padgy Hamrick

Wesley Hardy

Jane Houston

Allene McCreary

Travis Ouzts, Jr.

Mary Louise Owen

Fred A. Rheney

W.W. Ware

Charles E. Wolf, Jr.

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Learn More About PAGE History