Asa (Phillip) Randolph
1889-1979

Later on, Randolph got involved with The Pullman Company -- among the most powerful business organizations in the country. The Pullman train workers -- known as porters -- sought out Randolph to head up their unionization effort. They trusted in Randolph because they considered him a good orator, a tireless fighter for the rights of African Americans. In 1925, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters was officially launched. Randolph and the Brotherhood struggled with Pullman for 12 years. In time, the Brotherhood won the admiration of many labor and liberal leaders, including the American Federation of Labor.

Despite many setbacks, the Brotherhood eventually prevailed. The Brotherhood had come to be viewed as a symbol of the African American's claim to dignity, respect and a decent livelihood. Randolph continued into the limelight and became a very visible national spokesperson for African-American rights in the 1940s and 1950s. He focused his attention on making sure that blacks weren't discriminated against in government and military employment. Randolph pressured the U.S. government into issuing an executive order banning discrimination within the government and the defense industries.

He was also instrumental in the enactment of an executive order barring discrimination in the military. In 1963, Randolph called for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. A crowd of 250,000 participated in a peaceful demonstration. Randolph, Martin Luther King, Jr. and other leaders met with President Kennedy afterward. Within a year, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was signed.

Although we are still fighting the battle against employment discrimination, let us not take for granted the contributions of people like A. Philip Randolph.