[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 3081]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, last month we praised our 
forefathers in observance of Presidents' Day and we also praised the 
contributions of African Americans in the development and continuation 
of this country. This month, as women's history gets underway, I rise 
to recognize some of our foremothers; women who dared to be first, who 
strove for equality and social justice for all; women who not only 
broke ceilings but shattered spheres in pursuit of rights that should 
have been inalienable; women whose contributions continue to pave the 
way and to inspire others.
  Mr. Speaker, I am from Chicago, a city rich in women pioneers and 
trailblazers, both past and present. One such individual is Ida B. 
Wells who founded the first black female suffrage club in Illinois, as 
well as the first kindergarten in a black neighborhood. Wells was born 
in 1862, was a slave for the first 6 months of her life, and spent the 
remainder of her life fighting for civil and economic rights for 
African Americans.
  Declaring that one had better die fighting against injustice than die 
like a dog or rat in a trap, Wells crusaded against lynching and 
segregation until her death in 1931.
  Labor activist Sylvia Woods was a pioneer in civil rights. During 
World War II, she led the Union organization at Bendix Aviation. She 
spent much of the 1940s organizing United Auto Workers Local 330 and 
formulating the UAW resolution against sex discrimination. Following 
the war, she assisted women who were laid off in Chicago and co-founded 
the National Alliance Against Racism.
  However, at present there are future history-makers that are making 
an impact on the lives of the citizens of Chicago and the Nation. 
Exemplary individuals from today include Addie Wyatt, Reverend Willie 
Taplin Barrow, Dr. Johnnie Coleman and Mrs. Mamie Bone.
  Reverend Addie Wyatt has the distinction of having had active 
involvement with the three major movements of the 20th Century, labor, 
civil rights and women's rights. Her leadership roles in labor were 
international vice president of the United Food and Commercial Workers 
International Union and she broke ground as the first female local 
union president of the United Packing House and Allied Workers, and as 
international vice president of the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and 
Butcher Workmen of North America. Her founding roles in Operation 
Breadbasket and Operation PUSH, as well as her work with Martin Luther 
King, Jr., illustrate her commitment to civil rights. Her involvement 
in the women's movement has also generated a number of noteworthy 
achievements.
  Reverend Wyatt is a founding member of the National Organization for 
Women, was even appointed by Eleanor Roosevelt to serve on the Labor 
Legislation Committee of the Commission on the Status of Women.
  During her distinguished career, she advised Presidents Kennedy, 
Johnson and Carter and other important leaders on causes. She and her 
husband Claude currently serve as pastors emeritus of the Vernon Park 
Church of God in Chicago.
  Reverend Willie Taplin Barrow is the co-chair of Rainbow/PUSH 
Coalition and is well-known for breaking barriers in a male-dominated 
profession. She is an ordained minister and on the Governor's Committee 
on the Status of Women in Illinois.
  Another fine citizen is the Reverend Dr. Johnnie Coleman. Sometimes 
referred to as the first lady of the religious community, she is the 
founder-minister of Christ Universal Church where 4,000 people go to 
hear her words of wisdom and healing every Sunday.
  To her credit, Reverend Coleman has several organizations in Chicago, 
the Universal Foundation for Better Living, Inc.; the Johnnie Coleman 
Institute; and the Johnnie Coleman Academy and a book of teachings 
entitled Open Your Mind and Be Healed.
  Ms. Mamie Bone, as chairperson of the Central Advisory Council for 
the Chicago Housing Authority, fights regularly for residents. She 
serves as a member of the CHA Board of Commissioners and continues to 
champion the employment security and safety of public housing 
residents.
  Of course, Mr. Speaker, I would also like to just highlight the 
activities and the involvement of Margaret Blackshere, who currently 
serves as President of the Illinois Federation of Labor. She is an 
outstanding labor leader, civic activist, former teacher, political 
activist and a fighter for the rights of working people all over 
America.
  Margaret Blackshere, is currently the President of the Illinois AFL-
CIO. A former classroom teacher, Blackshere has served on all levels of 
the Labor Movement from president of her local union in Madison to 
statewide vice president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, to her 
current position.
  Blackshere has a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a 
master's degree in Urban Education--both from Southern Illinois 
University-Edwardsville.
  She has been a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, served 
as the director of the Illinois Democratic Coordinated Campaign in 1990 
and 1992, and is a member of the Democratic National Committee.
  Blackshere serves on various boards and councils including the United 
Way of Illinois, Voices for Illinois Children, White House Commission 
on Presidential Scholars, and the Illinois Skills Standard & 
Credentialing Council.
  She is a member of American Federation of Teachers Local 763 and is a 
delegate to the National AFL-CIO Convention.

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