African American labor union members

AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: William Lucy Records

jruss — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:21:25 -0400

The AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer oversees the general financial health of the international union, keeping records for its locals, councils, and the headquarters staff. The Office keeps files on council and local trusteeships, maintains per capita dues payments by locals and councils, issues charters to new locals, and suspends and disbands locals or councils when problems arise. William Lucy held this position for 38 years, 1972-2010.

Lucy joined AFSCME as a civil engineer in Contra Costa, CA in 1956. A decade later, he was working for the International in Washington, D.C. Proving his leadership abilities during the 1968 sanitation workers strike in Memphis, during which Martin Luther King, Jr., was assassinated, Lucy became AFSCME Secretary-Treasurer in 1972. Alongside his work with AFSCME, Lucy also served with countless labor, civil rights, and civic organizations to advance causes for blacks, women, and workers locally in Washington, D.C., nationally, and internationally. Lucy helped found the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) in 1972 to represent African Americans in the labor movement. He was instrumental in the Free South Africa Movement's efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. He served as president of Public Services International (PSI) and as a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council. These activities are reflected in the Records. Lucy retired from the position of Secretary-Treasurer in July 2010 at the AFSCME biennial convention.

The AFSCME Office of the Secretary-Treasurer: William Lucy Records document the activities and operations of AFSCME International, the Office of the Secretary-Treasurer, and AFSCME’s state and local councils. The Records also convey the actions of William Lucy in a number of labor and civil rights organizations, including TransAfrica, the NAACP, CBTU, PSI, and the AFL-CIO. The Records include correspondence, reports, speeches, financial information, legal documents, convention transcripts and proceedings, publications, and meeting minutes. Several boxes of audio recordings of International Executive Board meetings are included, and a very small number of photographs appear in the collection.

James Moore Audio Recordings

eclemens — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 09:43:32 -0500

In the fall of 1983 Professor James Moore recorded an oral history interview with Shelton Tappes and Catherine "Babe" Gelles, both early organizers for the United Auto Workers Union (UAW). Taped in Tappes' Detroit home, the interviewees gave firsthand account of 1937's "Battle of the Overpass," a brutal response by members of the Ford Service Department to the UAW organizing effort against Ford Motor Company. The interview lends offers two different vantage points: Gelles', as that of a member of the UAW's Women's Auxiliary, and Tappes' as that of a Ford Employee and early Black organizer. Their testimony includes description of brutal assaults on organizers that occurred at the hands of Ford Servicemen, including Walter Reuther, Richard Frankensteen, and Gelles herself; demonstrated anti-union bias by the Dearborn Police Department; description of triage set up in the union hall to attend to the wounded; and UAW organizing efforts that followed the event. The interview was recorded for use in "Mass Producing Fords", a documentary for the United Kingdom's Open University.

NALC City Delivery Director Records

drice — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 15:22:44 -0400

The national position of City Delivery Director of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) was created in 1972 to focus on all organizational activities relating to city delivery service, including grievances, training programs, and policies and regulations. Records in this collection reflect the activities of two directors: Gustave J. Johnson, the first City Delivery Director, and his sucessor, Joseph H. Johnson. The majority of the materials relate to grievances and arbitration proceedings.

SEIU Executive Office Records

aorchard — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 11:55:33 -0500

In 1996 Andy Stern was elected President of SEIU and the members of Stern’s New Voices slate took office (Betty Bednarczyk, Patricia (Pat) Ford, Eliseo Medina, and Paul Policicchio). Most of the records in this collection document aspects of this group’s leadership, with the majority of records from the New Voices campaign, the Secretary-Treasurer’s Office (primarily materials relating to AFL-CIO and other organization’s conventions), the Executive Vice President’s office (predominately Pat Ford’s speeches and talking points), subject files and convention records, and audiovisual materials. Records include correspondence, reports, resolutions and amendments, speeches and talking points, photographs, posters, T-shirts, pins, VHS and audio cassettes, CDs, and DVDs.

SEIU Executive Vice President's Office: Patricia Ford Records

aorchard — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:41:28 -0400

In 1973, Pat Ford, then a clerical worker at Alameda County Hospital, aided in the creation of Local 616 by affiliating the 4000-member association with SEIU. Ford held various leadership positions in Local 616, including president (the Local’s first African-American woman president), and Executive Director. In addition to Ford’s service to Local 616, in 1996 she was elected as SEIU Executive Vice President, and reelected in 2000. During her tenure with SEIU, Ford helped to found the Caucus of African Descent (AFRAM), lead SEIU’s government affairs program, and coordinated SEIU’s civil and human rights activism. A full biography on Patricia Ford, may be found in Ford’s oral history held at the Reuther Library.

The SEIU Executive Vice President’s Office: Patricia Ford Records contains digital transcripts of 25 speeches given by Patricia Ford during her tenure as SEIU Executive Vice President. The records particularly reveal Ford’s involvement with organizations such as CBTU, CLUW, and NAACP. Also included is one folder of photographs, primarily featuring Ford at various SEIU events.

Speech transcripts may be found here:
https://www.reuther.wayne.edu/search/node/pat+ford+speech+transcript

UAW Fair Practices and Anti-Discrimination Department Records

drice — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:45:49 -0500

Subjects include: African-American workers; anti-Semitism; civil rights; community action programs; CIO state councils; race relations; Democratic Party; Detroit Revolutionary Union Movements; employment discrimination; Sunnyhills Housing Cooperative; Ku Klux Klan; Mexican Americans; gender discrimination; women's rights; United Steelworkers of America; sharecroppers; skilled trades; school desegregation

Note: Box 13 is unavailable.

African Americans and the UAW

mosmith — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 11:53:30 -0500

The Reuther Library celebrates African American History Month with a brief review of the important role that African Americans have played in the formation and growth of the United Automobile Workers of America (UAW), one of the most powerful unions in American history, and the influence of black UAW members within the polity of Detroit. read more »

Detroit Revolutionary Movements Records now available online

mcourtney — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 09:57:23 -0400

The Walter P. Reuther Library, Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs is proud to announce that the Detroit Revolutionary Movements (DRM) Records are now freely available online.

These materials offer firsthand information about the demands, political viewpoints and allies of Black workers during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The records are especially relevant today as evidence of community-based activism that is formative to today’s social and political movements. read more »

The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

cdavis — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:24:10 -0400

At the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU) International Convention, held in St. Louis, Missouri, May 23-28, 2012, the CBTU membership voted in Terrance (Terry) Melvin as its new President. Terry Melvin is the second president in CBTU’s 40 year history. William (Bill) Lucy had been CBTU president since the organization’s founding in 1972. Lucy also served for 38 years as the Secretary-Treasurer of AFSCME before retiring in 2010. read more »

SEIU African-American Leaders in Labor

gstrassel — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 16:39:07 -0400

The SEIU African-American Leaders in Labor document is a collection of short biographies of past African-American members of the Service Employees International Union. Former SEIU International Executive Vice President Patricia Ford created the resource in 2015 to address the lack of recorded history of African Americans in the labor movement. Each page is a different biography and photo of African Americans who served as officers, local leaders, and rank and file members within SEIU. To be included in the resource, the individual must not be currently affiliated with SEIU (unless they hold “retired” status). Entries were self-written or authored by associates of the subjects. This is the second edition of The SEIU African-American Leaders in Labor.

Horace Sheffield, Shelton Tappes, Robert "Buddy" Battle

wlefevre — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 13:45:11 -0500

Composite photo of UAW union leadership.

Left to right: Horace Sheffield, 1/7/1972; Shelton Tappes, 4/22/1948; Buddy Battle, 7-6-1967.

(8787) NAACP, UAW, Ford Strike, Dearborn, 1941

eclemens — Wed, 11 May 2011 07:30:10 -0400

Men in the picket line outside of the Ford Rouge plant and police officers on horseback pause to listen to the broadcast from the NAACP Detroit Youth Council sound car during the 1941 Ford Strike, Dearborn, Michigan. It is assumed that Horace Sheffield is behind the wheel of the sound car.

(28853) Coalition of Black Trade Unionists

jruss — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:33:24 -0400

This is the cover to a pamphlet summarizing the Conference of Black Trade Unionists held in Chicago in 1972. This Conference resulted in the formation of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, commonly referred to as CBTU.

(28854) CBTU Steering Committee

jruss — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 15:35:13 -0400

These photos of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionisits (CBTU) Steering Committee was included in a pamphlet that summarized the Conference of Black Trade Unionists held in Chicago in 1972. This Conference resulted in the formation of CBTU.

(29241) SEIU Members, SEIU 18th Annual Convention, Dearborn, Michigan, 1984

aorchard — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 16:42:18 -0400

SEIU members observe the convention proceedings sitting at the SEIU 18th Annual Convention in Dearborn, Michigan.

(29305) Delegates, 16th General SEIU Convention, Honolulu, Hawaii, 1976

aorchard — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 10:57:47 -0400

A candid photograph of four African American female delegates at the 16th General SEIU Convention in Honolulu, Hawaii.

(30036) Cecil Ward, Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1992

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:13:48 -0400

Cecil Ward, former International Executive Board member, speaking at the 20th annual SEIU International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(30037) Cecil Ward, John Sweeney, International Convention, Las Vegas, Nevada, 1992

aorchard — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:46:29 -0400

Cecil Ward, former International Executive Board member, and President John Sweeney at the 20th annual SEIU International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

(30038), Cecil Ward, John Sweeney, Richard Cordtz, International Convention, 1984

eclemens — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:28:36 -0500

Cecil Ward, former International Executive Board member, is presented with a plaque by President John Sweeney at the 1984 SEIU International Convention. Also pictured are Secretary-Treasurer Richard Cordtz and former President George Hardy.

(30600) Fay Childs, Betty Bednarczyk, 21st SEIU International Convention, Chicago Illinois, 1996

eclemens — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:43:36 -0500

Fay Childs and Betty Bednarczyk at the 21st annual SEIU International Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

(30601) Fay Childs, SEIU Convention, 1984

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:15:10 -0400

Fay Childs at the 1984 SEIU International Convention.

(30062) Fay Childs, Presenting

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:15:35 -0400

Fay Childs presenting during an event held by SEIU.

(30063) Richard Cordtz, Fay Childs

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:15:56 -0400

Richard Cordtz and Fay Childs shaking hands.

(30064) Gloria Marigny, Women's Conference, 1986

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:16:15 -0400

Gloria Marigny presenting at the Women's Conference.

(30065) Gloria Marigny, 1986

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:16:38 -0400

Gloria Marigny listens intently.

(30066) Gloria Marigny, Betty Bednarczyk

aorchard — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:16:59 -0400

Gloria Marigny presents as Betty Bednarczyk watches and awaits her turn to speak.

(30196) Ophelia McFadden Speaking, 21st SEIU International Convention, Chicago, Illinois, 1996

aorchard — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:45:37 -0400

Ophelia McFadden speaks at the 21st SEIU International Convention in Chicago, Illinois.

(30197) Ophelia McFadden, Jim Hightower, Public Employee Convention and Lobby Day, 1991

aorchard — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:45:12 -0400

Ophelia McFadden with Jim Hightower at Public Employee Convention and Lobby Day, 1991.

(30301) SEIU IEVP Bill Stodghill, SEIU International Convention, 1980

aorchard — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:28:53 -0400

International Executive Vice President Bill Stodghill at the 1980 SEIU International Convention.

(31017) Martin Luther King, Jr. Rally, Labor and Civil Rights, Memphis, Tennessee, 1998

aorchard — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 15:09:36 -0500

Participants walk with a banner stating, "Two Movements, One Goal: Labor and Civil Rights," during the 1998 Martin Luther King, Jr. rally in Memphis, Tennessee.

(31018) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day March, Atlanta, Georgia, 1989

aorchard — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 15:13:21 -0500

Participants walk with a banner stating, "Justice for Janitors - SEIU Local 679 - Living the Dream" during the 1989 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day march in Atlanta, Georgia.

(31020) Martin Luther King, Jr. March, Washington, D.C., 1982

aorchard — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 15:21:54 -0500

Participants of the 1982 Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday march in Washington, D.C. hold a banner in front of the Capitol building.

(31021) Martin Luther King, Jr. March, Participants, Washington, D.C., 1982

aorchard — Sat, 18 Jan 2014 15:24:47 -0500

Participants hold signs displaying images of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and wishing him a happy birthday during the 1982 Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday march in Washington, D.C.

(31295) Seymour Miller, SEIU Executive Board Member Chicago Flat Janitors Local 1, 1920

aorchard — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:52:47 -0400

A 1920 yearbook photograph of Seymour Miller, Executive Board Member and Vice President of Chicago Flat Janitors Local 1.

(31296) Thomas Young, SEIU Local 32B-32J

aorchard — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:59:17 -0400

Thomas Young, cofounder and previous Vice President and Recording Secretary of SEIU Local 32B/32BJ.

(31297) Arline Neal, SEIU Local 82, Protest, 1970s

aorchard — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:05:27 -0400

Arline Neal of SEIU Local 82 demonstrates with members for labor law reform.

(31298) Peter Ottley, Local 144 Members

aorchard — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:08:30 -0400

After unanimous approval of the best contract ever negotiated by Local 144, President Peter Ottley is joined by happy nursing home members at the conclusion of the ratification meeting.

(31300) SEIU Members, ERA Demonstration, 1970s

aorchard — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:26:30 -0400

African American women demonstrating for equal rights and the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

(31301) SEIU International Convention, EVP Bill Stodghill, 1980

aorchard — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 11:00:45 -0400

International Executive Vice President Bill Stodghill at the 1980 SEIU International Convention.

(31302) SEIU Local 679, African American Caucus, J4J Demonstration, Atlanta, Georgia. 1996

aorchard — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:32:38 -0400

SEIU Members during the Local 679 Justice for Janitors (J4J) and African American Caucus Demonstration at the Atlanta Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.

(31303) Pat Ford, Jesse Jackson, March on Washington 40th Anniversary, Washington, D.C., 2003

aorchard — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:01:57 -0400

Pat Ford and Jesse Jackson at the Martin Luther King Jr. 40th Anniversary March on Washington.

(31305) Lovella Brown, SEIU Executive Board Meeting, Washington, D.C., 1977

aorchard — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:08:51 -0400

International Executive Board Member Lovella Brown at the November 7, 1977 meeting of the International Executive Board in Washington, D.C.

(31306) IEB Member and Local 144 President John Kelley Jr., 19th SEIU International Convention, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

aorchard — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:19:22 -0400

SEIU Local 144 President and International Executive Board Member John Kelley Jr. at the 19th International Convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

(31307) IEB Member Walter Backstrom, 1984 SEIU International Convention, Dearborn, Michigan

aorchard — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:24:33 -0400

International Executive Board Member Walter Backstrom speaking during the 1984 SEIU International Convention.

(31308) IEB Member Gloria Marigny, SEIU International Convention, 1980

aorchard — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:27:22 -0400

International Executive Board member Gloria Marigny, speaking at the 1980 SEIU International Convention, which marked her third term as an Executive Board member.

(31309) Ophelia McFadden, Conference, 1980s

aorchard — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 11:30:17 -0400

International Executive Board member Ophelia McFadden listening during a conference.

(31522) SEIU Local 82 Elevator Operator, 1949

aorchard — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 09:55:45 -0400

Elevator Operator Ms. Philiamena Bryant of SEIU Local 82 holds the elevator door open.

(31882) Martin Luther King Jr., Peter Ottley, 1965

aorchard — Sat, 31 May 2014 08:46:50 -0400

Peter Ottley with martin Luther King, Jr.

(31885) SEIU Member Nelson Ferguson, 1950

aorchard — Sat, 31 May 2014 08:56:14 -0400

Nelson Ferguson, a Capper's employee went 38 years without an accident.

(38545) Portrait of John Conyers, Sr., Undated

eclemens — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 11:09:23 -0500

Portrait of John Conyers, Sr., chief steward of UAW Chrysler Local 7.