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Chicago Tribune
03-04-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
New museum in Pullman to recognize women's role in labor movement
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.'
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Chicago's Pullman porters formed first all-Black labor union 100 years ago
The Brief One hundred years ago, Chicago's Pullman porters formed the first all-Black labor union in the U.S., paving the way for civil rights advancements. A. Phillip Randolph and Milton P. Webster were key figures who led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Their legacy influenced major civil rights events, including the Montgomery bus boycott and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s leadership. CHICAGO - As we celebrate Black History Month this year, a major milestone is also being marked. One hundred years ago, Chicago's Pullman porters who worked on the historic railway here helped form the first all-Black labor union in the U.S. In a FOX 32 special report, we take a look at how this move not only improved workers' rights but also their civil rights. After the Civil War, George Pullman wanted to hire formerly enslaved men to work on his trains as sleeping car porters. Some historians say that created economic advancement for newly emancipated African Americans and helped create the Black middle class. Despite those benefits, sleeping car porters did not have the best working conditions. "They worked extreme hours. Didn't get much pay, worked primarily for tips," said Dr. Lionel Kimble Jr. "Had to buy their own uniforms. Had to buy their own shoeshine. Any materials they needed for work, they had to purchase themselves." Dr. Lionel Kimble Jr. is an associate professor of Africana Studies at Chicago State University. He's also on the executive council for the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. "In New York City and Harlem, one of the hubs for the brotherhood, there were a number of meetings going on talking about organizing," Kimble Jr. said. "But the problem they found… is spies for the Pullman company were often infiltrating some of these meetings." The porters who wanted to unionize needed a leader Pullman couldn't intimidate and still had some charisma. "In comes A. Phillip Randolph," Kimble Jr. said. Kimble says Randolph was a newspaperman from New York who bought a one-way ticket to Chicago to see if the union could get started. "He comes here and he meets with this guy, Milton P. Webster, who was a big, booming, very large man, very domineering, but very respected in the ranks of the Pullman porters," Kimble Jr. said. "The belief was Randolph comes to Chicago and if he was able to appeal to Webster then he would win the respect of the Pullman porters nationwide." Why couldn't Randolph do that with the porters in New York City? "The seed of equality was planted in Chicago. Chicago is founded by DuSable," said Dr. Kim L. Dulaney, VP of Education and Programs at DuSable Black History Museum. "So if you look across America, people are coming to Chicago, DuSable land – Black land – a Black man founded it. If we can't get equality there, we can't get equality anywhere." After Randolph and Webster meet, the rest – as they say – is history; starting with Randolph becoming the first international president for the union and Webster the international vice president. "If it wasn't for A. Phillip Randolph and Pullman porters, there wouldn't be E.D. Nixon," Kimble Jr. said. "This is such a great story because E.D. Nixon was not somebody who would have got big recognition. He wasn't well educated. Even for the day," Dulaney said. Dulaney told us more about the Pullman porter in Montgomery, Alabama, who was mentored by A. Philip Randolph. "Not only did he bond Rosa Parks out of jail, but he also connected other organizations and mobilized people in that effort," Dulaney said. That's not all he did during the Montgomery bus boycott. "Nixon was the person who invited a 26-year-old minister from Atlanta to lead the movement in Montgomery," Kimble Jr. said. Kimble says if it wasn't for E.D. Nixon, we might not have had a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "So looking at this movement in 1925 and what it provided for us up to 1963, is something we don't pay enough attention to," Kimble Jr. said. "Because I think it's a very important part of the Black civil rights struggle." One more historical note to share: when Dr. King gave his now famous "I Have a Dream" speech, he was introduced by A. Phillip Randolph.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
This series
The Tribune-Democrat and will highlight some historic anniversaries taking place in 2025 as part of this year's Black History Month coverage. The scheduled stories are: • Feb. 1: 100th anniversary of the founding of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. • Feb. 8: 70th anniversary of when St. Francis College superstar Maurice Stokes was drafted into the National Basketball Association. • Feb. 15: 60th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery march, which helped clear the way for Black voters' rights nationwide. • Feb. 22: 60th anniversary of the assassination of Black empowerment and human rights leader Malcolm X.
