Honoring The Black Women Of The Labor Movement

They might not get as much praise and recognition, but Black women have served as the driving force and the foundation of many of the most transformative and important movements. 

It’s a cycle that still persists in the present day, as Black women are among the first and the fiercest when it’s time to show up to make their voices heard, effect change and dive in to explore and discuss crucial social issues.

We put the world’s issues on our shoulders, and even though the flowers we deserve could never be enough, that doesn’t stop us from continuing on in the great fight.

In celebration of International Workers Day, we wanted to highlight some of the most powerful Black women behind the Labor Movement.

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1. Sylvia Woods

Based in Chicago, Sylvia Woods was a union organizer and community activist who was integral in organizing the Laundry Workers Union. Her work as an activist continued when she established the Bendix Local 330 of the United Auto Workers, where she was ultimately elected as the organization’s financial secretary-treasurer.

Woods was a fierce advocate for the working class, and through her activism shared the belief that all races needed to work together in an effort to effect true change.

2. Maida Springer Kemp

As the first Black woman to serve as a representative for the U.S. Labor Movement in 1945, Maida Springer Kemp began her career as an activist by organizing labor in the garment industry.

Kemp’s career continued for decades working as a liaison for American and African labor leaders during her tenure as a member of the AFL-CIO — making her presence and commitment to activism known worldwide. 

3. Hattie Canty

With the distinction of being one of the most prolific strike leaders in American history, Hattie Canty rose from housekeeper and school janitor to being a highly active member in the Culinary Workers Union. 

After being the first Black woman to serve as the organization’s vice president, Canty made headlines when she fronted a 75-day walkout against Las Vegas casinos that resulted in culinary workers received more adequate health insurance. 

4. Danyelle Holmes

A fierce advocate for low-wage earners and those living in poverty, Danyelle Holmes has consistently made her voice heard through her activism in many of the pressing political issues plaguing the state of Mississippi, such as leading the water distribution team to ensure that the residents of Jackson had clean drinking water. 

Holmes was also involved in additional local movements in the city to halt the privatization of the Jackson water and sewer infrastructure, to fund public education fully, and to remove the Confederate state flag in Mississippi.

5. Maria Harmon

In co-founding Step Up Louisiana and acting as a co-director of the organization that advocates for economic and educational justice in Louisiana, Maria Harmon has repeatedly proven her commitment to the betterment of the state’s residents.

While still a college student, Holmes worked with the local Louisiana Democratic Party and assisted in creating the Democracy Prep Public School of Baton Rouge, with the enrollment of 192 students for its inaugural school year.

6. Rukia Lumumba

As a transformative justice strategist and human rights advocate, Rukia Lumumba has been involved in multiple organizations and has helped push various initiatives focusing on human rights. Lumumba is the co-founder of Katrina on the Ground, an initiative that focused on post-Katrina relief efforts.

Additionally, she is also the executive director of the People’s Advocacy Institute, co-coordinator of the Electoral Justice Project, and the acting co-chair of the People’s Assembly in Jackson, Mississippi. 

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