Zoom events - Norman & Velma Hill - Civil rights & labor
The civil rights battle was not a Southern phenomenon, but also a Northern struggle. Norman and Velma Hill were two leaders in that effort; their life story was recently published by Simon & Schuster, Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain. A hybrid discussion, both virtual and present, is scheduled for Thursday, February 19, at 6 p.m. The Zoom pre-registration link is http://bit.ly/4b7byDp. An in-person gathering to participate in the Zoom is at American Postal Workers Local 1, 4217 South Halsted, in Chicago, at 6 p.m.
Both were active in the Chicago area, leading civil rights efforts and helping desegregate beaches. Their meeting came during a demonstration, when Velma Murphy was knocked unconscious by a thrown brick, and she was carried away by Norman Hill. It was the beginning of a six-decade-long love story and the turmoil, excitement, and struggle for civil rights and labor movements. In Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain, the Hills reflect upon their more than half a century of fighting to make America realize the best of itself.
Along with the ILHS, the event is sponsored by the Chicago Federation of Labor, Illinois AFL-CIO, the Chicago Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, and Chicago Jobs with Justice.
As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, how does this reflect the needs of working people? The ILHS is sponsoring two Zoom meetings: Wednesday, March 11, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 14, at 1 p.m. The session will open with a brief overview on working people’s unique contributions during the American Revolution. Then participants will go into Zoom small group sessions, to discuss their own reactions to the Declaration of Independence’s ideals and our current realities. The Zoom link to pre-register for Wednesday, March 11 is https://bit.ly/America250Part2, and for Saturday, March 14 is https://bit.ly/America250Part1. These events are free and open to the public. The two events will repeat each other; individuals are welcome to sign up for both, but attendance will suffice.
The Illinois Labor History is the nation’s oldest popular labor history organization. To learn more or to join, go to www.illinoislaborhistory.org