The First Colored Organizer

April 19, 1906

Summary

For the first time in history, there is a colored “salaried” organizer. It is said that “the same opposition met every new venture,” but women continued to progress in different fields of work.

Transcription

The First Colored Organizer
Dayton. O., May 11th-- W. Thompson, a colored member of hod carriers’ union No. 228 of St. Louis was today appointed general organizer for the International laborers’ union, with headquarters in this city. He is the first salaried colored organizer ever places in commission by a labor organization. Thompson, who will begin work at once in Indiana, was one of the founders of the building laborers’ international protective union in 1887.
About this article

Location on Page

Lower Left Quadrant

Contributed By

Emma Roberts

Citation

“The First Colored Organizer,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed April 24, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/426.