African Americans and Labor: Honoring the Legacy of Work and Social Justice

African Americans and Labor: Honoring the Legacy of Work and Social Justice
February 3, 2025
As we celebrate Black History Month in 2025, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has chosen "African Americans and Labor." This theme highlights the profound and transformative ways Black people have engaged in labor across centuries—free or unfree, skilled or unskilled, vocational or voluntary. Work has been a defining feature of Black history and culture, shaping communities and propelling the nation forward despite systemic barriers.
Champions for Black Labor and Social Justice
While attention is given to industrial and trade labor, Black labor also encompasses the work of social justice, community organizing, and advocacy—fields in which Black social workers have played an essential role. From the early 20th century to today, Black social workers have not only provided direct support to individuals but also fought systemic barriers that disproportionately impact Black communities.
Mary Church Terrell (1863-1954)
One such influential figure in Black history is Mary Church Terrell, an educator, social reformer, and civil rights activist. Born in 1863 to former slaves who became successful entrepreneurs, Terrell used her position to champion Black women and children. An Oberlin College graduate, she became a teacher and later dedicated her life to racial uplift, advocating for equal opportunities in education, employment, and civic participation. She co-founded the National Association of Colored Women (NACW) in 1896, adopting the motto "Lifting as we climb," and was an early member of the NAACP. Terrell fought for women's voting rights, picketing the White House for suffrage. Later in life, she led a successful campaign against segregated restaurants in Washington, D.C., achieving a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1953 that deemed segregated eating facilities unconstitutional. Her unwavering commitment to justice laid the groundwork for future generations of activists.
E. Frankin Frazier (1894-1962)
E. Franklin Frazier was a sociologist, social worker, and activist whose work profoundly impacted labor and social justice for African Americans. Associated with the Atlanta School of Social Work and Howard University’s Department of Sociology and School of Social Work, Frazier was a relentless advocate for racial and economic justice. As the Director of the Atlanta School of Social Work, he fought for accreditation, ensuring that Black social workers received professional training. He believed social work was a form of social action, encouraging practitioners to challenge systemic injustices and promote economic empowerment. His influential writings, including The Negro Family in the United States and Black Bourgeoisie, examined race, labor, and social mobility.
George Edmund Haynes (1880-1960)
George Edmund Haynes was a social worker, educator, and Co-Founder and first Executive Director of the National Urban League. Born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Haynes pursued higher education at Fisk University, Yale University, and Columbia University, where he became the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in economics. His interest in social issues affecting Black migrants from the South led him to the New York School of Philanthropy, from which he graduated in 1910. He played a crucial role in merging key organizations into the National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes (now the National Urban League), serving as its Executive Director from 1911-1918. He also established the first social work training center for Black graduate students at Fisk University, furthering social work education for African Americans. In addition to his contributions to labor and economic policy as Director of Negro Economics in the U.S. Department of Labor, Haynes conducted influential research on Black workers, housing, and interracial workplace conditions. His scholarly works, including The Negro at Work During the World War and During Reconstruction, had a profound impact on labor policy. He later expanded his focus to international race relations, conducting studies on African nations and serving as a Consultant on Africa for the World Committee of YMCAs. His contributions to social work education and labor rights continue to shape the field today.
Dorothy Height (1912-2010)
Dorothy Height, another figure in civil rights and social work, dedicated her life to advancing racial and gender equality. Born in 1912 in Richmond, Virginia, she was initially denied entry to Barnard College due to racial restrictions. However, she prevailed and earned a bachelor's and master’s degree from New York University. Height began her career as a social worker in Harlem before joining the YWCA, where she pushed for the integration of its facilities nationwide. From 1947 to 1956, Height served as the 10th National President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she strengthened the organization’s advocacy for civil rights, education, and public service. Inspired by Mary McLeod Bethune, she became deeply involved with the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), serving as its president for 40 years. Under her leadership, the NCNW supported voter registration efforts in the South and provided financial aid to civil rights activists. Height played a crucial role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington but was not allowed to speak, highlighting the gender discrimination within the movement. Despite these challenges, she remained a trusted advisor to multiple U.S. presidents and continued advocating for racial and social justice internationally, teaching in India and working with the Black Women’s Federation of South Africa. For her contributions, she received numerous accolades, including the Citizens Medal Award from President Ronald Reagan in 1989 and the Congressional Gold Medal in 2004. Height passed away in 2010 at the age of 98, leaving behind a lasting legacy of advocacy and empowerment for Black women and social workers alike.
Lester Blackwell Granger (1896-1976)
Lester Blackwell Granger was a trailblazer in integrating civil rights into social work as a national and international priority. Born in 1897 in Newport News, Virginia, Granger graduated from Dartmouth College and pursued postgraduate studies at New York University and the New York School of Social Work. His career began in 1922 as an extension worker, later serving as secretary on Negro welfare for the Welfare Council of New York City. In 1934, he joined the National Urban League’s workers' educational section, eventually becoming its Executive Director from 1941 to 1961. Granger played a key role in organizing Black labor unions and integrating white unions, leading to the inclusion of Black workers in defense industries and the racial integration of the U.S. military during World War II. He served on the President’s Committee on Equal Opportunity in the Armed Forces and advised the Navy on desegregation policies. For his work, he was awarded the Navy Medal for Distinguished Service and the President’s Medal for Merit. As the first Black president of both the National Conference of Social Welfare and the International Conference for Social Work, he made historic strides in advocating for racial equity in the field. After retiring from the Urban League, Granger continued his legacy as a visiting professor at Princeton, Loyola, Tulane, and Dillard Universities. His leadership and activism helped pave the way for lasting advancements in social work, labor rights, and civil rights.
Thyra J. Edwards (1897-1953)
Thyra J. Edwards was a pioneering social worker, journalist, and labor organizer who expanded the field of social work beyond U.S. borders. Trained at the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy, she initially focused on child welfare but soon broadened her work to include labor relations and international advocacy. Edwards studied labor management at Brockwood Labor College and received a fellowship from the American Federation of Labor (AFL) to study child welfare legislation in Denmark. By the 1940s, she was recognized as one of the most influential Black women in social work, linking labor rights, civil rights, and social welfare. She later directed the Congress of American Women and established the first Jewish childcare program in Rome for Holocaust survivors. A staunch advocate for racial and economic justice, her work embodied the intersection of labor, social activism, and international solidarity.
The 2025 Black History Month theme serves as a powerful reminder that Black labor has always been about more than employment—it has been about agency, resistance, and building a more just society. From enslaved laborers to union organizers, from pioneering social workers to modern-day activists, Black people have fought tirelessly to define the value of their work and ensure that future generations inherit a more equitable labor landscape.
As we reflect on this year's theme, let us honor the Black workers—both past and present—who have made monumental contributions to labor rights, economic justice, and social welfare. Their work continues to shape the Black experience and the world at large, proving that labor, in all its forms, is central to Black history and the ongoing fight for equality.
In looking toward the future, we must continue to advocate for policies that protect Black workers, recognize the economic contributions of Black communities, and ensure access to education and professional opportunities. The fight for labor rights is ongoing, and the lessons from historical figures remind us of the power of perseverance, organization, and collective action. Black labor is not only an essential part of history but a key force in shaping the possibilities for generations to come.
Works Cited
Brown, Angelique. "Edward Franklin Frazier (September 24, 1894 – May 17, 1962) — Advocate for Social Justice, Administrator, Author and Social Work Educator." Social Welfare History Project, socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/social-work/frazier-edward-franklin/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
"Lester B. Granger (1897 – 1976) — Social Worker, Civil Rights Advocate, and Director of the National Urban League." Social Welfare History Project, socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/granger-lester-b/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
"George Edmund Haynes." NASW Foundation, www.naswfoundation.org/Our-Work/NASW-Social-Work-Pioneers/NASW-Social-Workers-Pioneers-Bio-Index/id/676. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Imani, Zellie. "African Americans and the Labor Movement." Black Culture, 19 Feb. 2014, black-culture.com/african-americans-labor-movement/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Michales, Debra. "Mary Church Terrell." National Women's History Museum, 2017, www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/mary-church-terrell. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Norwood, Arlisha. "Dorothy Height." National Women's History Museum, 2017, www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/dorothy-height. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
Reynolds, J. "Thyra J. Edwards (1897 – 1953) – Social Worker, Child Welfare Advocate, Labor Organizer." Social Welfare History Project, socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/woman-suffrage/edwards-thyra-j-1897-1953/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Salo, Jessica. "George Edmund Haynes." BlackPast, 30 Jun. 2008, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/haynes-george-edmund-1880-1960/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Snyder, Deron. "Remembering Unsung Black Social Work Pioneer Lester Blackwell Granger." Social Work Blog, 27 Feb. 2023, www.socialworkblog.org/public-education-campaign/social-work-month/2023/02/remembering-unsung-black-social-work-pioneer-lester-blackwell-granger/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.