The theme of Black History Month 2025 is African Americans and Labor, highlighted below are some of the revolutionary leaders within the labor movement in the United States:
Hattie Canty (1933-2012)
“The union taught me how to fight for what I needed and what I had, and if it was something I wanted, how to go after it” –Hattie Canty
Hattie Canty (1933-2012) was a leader in labor movements throughout her life, leading to an increase in equality and workers’ rights. Canty was a hotel room attendant in Las Vegas when she became involved with the union (Culinary Workers’ Union) in 1984. By 1990, Canty had been elected as the first black female president of the union, during her time as president, Canty held the longest strike in U.S. labor history, which lasted for 6 and a half years. Throughout her life, Canty fought for racial equality within the industry and within her union itself, leading to the creation of the Culinary Training Academy, which allows for people of color to obtain better jobs within the hospitality industry.
Thanks to Hattie Canty and the sacrifices she made during her life, hospitality workers have greater protections, and greater opportunities than they ever had before her.
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987)
“If we desire a society in which men are brothers, then we must act towards one another with brotherhood. If we can build such a society, then we would have achieved the ultimate goal of human freedom.” – Bayard Rustin
Bayard Rustin (1912-1987) was an advocate throughout his life, with his focus being on nonviolence and the fight for human rights. In the latter half of the 20th century, Rustin had cofounded the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), fought against colonialism around the world and nuclear disarmament, and led the 1963 March on Washington to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Rustin was an out gay man who advocated for better protections for workers in the labor force, as well as demanded greater HIV/AIDS research. Feeling he was pushed into more behind the scene roles due to being a black, gay man, Rustin wanted to eliminate this from happening in the labor industry, advocating for equal rights for all marginalized communities.
Without Rustin’s work and activism, the labor movement would have been greatly halted, as he fought against racism and discrimination throughout his life and throughout the United States.
Chris Smalls (1988-Present)
“You know, do not quit your jobs anymore; organize them. You know, that’s just a simple thing that you can do. You know, everybody say, ‘Quit your job if you don’t like it.’ Well, you’re jumping from one fire into the next, and I think we need to stop doing that, because nothing gets changed.” – Chris Smalls
Chris Smalls (1988-Present) is currently shaping the labor movement in the United States, with his use of unionization. Throughout his life Smalls had felt the limitations in career opportunities and growth, and had identified the institutional racism that is holding many back. Working at Amazon for years, hopeful for career advancement, and with little movement, Smalls began identifying the problems within the company. During 2020 and the COVID-19 Pandemic, Smalls began working with Derrick Palmer, a colleague to form the Amazon Labor Union (ALU). Many thought it would be impossible to form a union within Amazon, but in 2022, in a Staten Island warehouse a union was voted on and established.
While this is an ongoing battle, Smalls is showing that change is possible and continuing to advocate better rights for workers, adding modern tactics to the history of labor rights and the labor movement in the United States.
Looking for more ways to get involved? Dive deeper into Black History Month at https://blackhistorymonth.gov/.
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