New museum in Pullman to recognize women's role in labor movement

Chicago Tribune

03-04-2025

A. Philip Randolph set the stage for the Civil Rights movement by forming and leading the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925, which 10 years later became the first African American labor union to be affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.
The contributions of Randolph and those he represented are highlighted in a museum in Chicago's Pullman neighborhood, the historic home of the country's largest sleeping car company.
Now a new effort is afoot to recognize an oft overlooked element of that effort. Randolph's success at organizing a union that would represent thousands of workers all over the United States rested squarely upon the efforts of women such as Rosina Corrothers Tucker.
Tucker was the wife of a Pullman porter and became an early advocate for the union that pushed for better pay, better working conditions and a grievance process. She also became a labor organizer for other labor groups and a crusader for civil rights.
As a tribute to the efforts Tucker and other women involved in this effort, the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum officially broke ground Saturday — the close of Women's History Month — for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Ladies Auxiliary Women's History Museum.
The new museum is part of the Pullman National Historical Park and it is within the Pullman National Historic Landmark District as well as the country's first Black Labor History Tourism District. It is considered an extension of the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porters Museum and will occupy a three-story rowhouse at 10432 S. Maryland Ave., just steps away.
The Pullman Company closely monitored the activities of their employees, the porters, and punished those who supported the union. But the wives of porters, as well as maids employed by the Pullman company, were seen as less likely to face scrutiny. So scores of them visited the homes of the porters to share literature about the union.
Wife, activist and organizer Tucker didn't manage to stay invisible for long. The Pullman Company tried to fire her husband, but she stood up to them.
She also founded and became president of the Brotherhood's International Ladies' Auxiliary Order, also known as the Women's Economic Councils. The councils sprouted up throughout the U.S. and elsewhere, enabling members to organize the porters and maids more openly. Through them, Tucker also built lasting connections with other labor unions.
Besides paying tribute to the women of the Ladies Auxiliary, the museum is expected to showcase the contributions of C.J. Walker, the first female self-made African American millionaire; U.S. Rep. Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to seek the Democratic nomination for president in 1972; Carol Mosley-Braun, the first Black woman to serve in the U.S. Senate; and other notable Black women.
Though the museum will take shape in the 9th Ward, Englewood's 16th Ward Alderman Stephanie D. Coleman, chairwoman of the Chicago Aldermanic Black Caucus, hosted its dedication ceremony.
Staged beneath a large white tent, the ground-breaking event attracted a crowd of state, county and Chicago officials, as well as friends and nearby residents.
Coleman introduced Dr. Lyn Hughes, founder of the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, and commended her for also having led the effort to establish the new museum.
Harkening back to the establishment of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters a century ago, Coleman said of the author and Black labor historian, 'Here we are 100 years later, living out our ancestor's wildest dreams because of this young woman, this young at the age of 80.'
Hughes responded with plenty of youthful spirit. 'If doors don't open for me, I kick them in,' she said. 'People who do what we do are cultural workers. We do this because it's necessary, because no one else is standing there. And we do it at great sacrifice.'
Hughes recalled decades ago buying the museum property as home for herself and her family. Arsonists set fire to it one night in 1998. Fortunately, she and her family escaped, but not without great material loss and heavy emotional trauma. Cars and belongings burned as well, all in the middle of the night. 'We were in our pajamas,' she said.
The property has not been improved since, said David A. Peterson, president and executive director of the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.
In April, Drumlin Architects in Chicago will begin creating architectural plans for transforming the structure, said James Holland, an architect for the firm.
Meanwhile, Layla Patrick, a sixth grader and straight-A student at Skinner North Elementary, will begin researching history related to the mission of the museum after accepting a position as junior historian for the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum.
'The opportunity to explore and understand the legacy and history of my great people fills me with joy beyond words,' she told the crowd Saturday.' I am honored to follow in the footsteps of great women like Dr. Hughes, the Pullman porters and other important women who have helped with this process.'