Press conference begins at 2:00 p.m. followed by Groundbreaking

(Black PR Wire) Chicago, IL- In celebration of Women’s History Month, developers of the first Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) Ladies Auxiliary Women’s History Museum have announced its groundbreaking. The museum will be the first extension of the planned museum campus, on what will become A. Philip Randolph’s Way, the first Black Labor History Tourism District in America. 

This historic event will take place Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at 10432 S. Maryland Ave. only a few doors south of the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, which is the Northern boundary of the Pullman National Historical Park District. The ceremony will be hosted by the Honorable Stephanie D. Coleman, Alderman 16th Ward, President of the City of Chicago’s Black Caucus and dedicated advocate for community empowerment and historic preservation.

“It’s been a long road to this groundbreaking,” said museum founder Dr. Lyn Hughes. “It took us 16 months to get a building permit, but finally, we got it and are thrilled to be able to officially start this amazing project.”

The establishment of the BSCP Ladies Auxiliary Women’s History Museum will elevate the little-known stories and contributions of Black women throughout history. It is a commitment to preserving the narratives of those who did the work, paved the way, and too often were overlooked. Their struggles and successes will serve as a source of inspiration for future generations.

Some of the women featured include:

• Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman to be elected to the United States Congress and the first African-American woman to seek the nomination of President of the United States.

• Carol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate.

• Kim Foxx, the first African-American woman elected to serve as Cook County State’s Attorney.

• Dr. Lyn Hughes, founder of the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, the first African American labor history museum in the nation.

• Rosina Tucker, labor organizer and the first President of the BSCP union's Ladies Auxiliary

• Madame C.J. Walker, the first self-made millionaire, who was also an entrepreneur and philanthropist.

Celebrating a Legacy

The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), established in 1925, marked a monumental moment in American labor history as the first African American labor union to receive a charter from the American Federation of Labor. This organization played a vital role in advocating for fair wages, improved working conditions, and gained respect for African American workers in the face of systemic racism and discrimination. 

The women of the Ladies Auxiliary contributed significantly to these achievements, often working behind the scenes to support and empower their families while also striving for their own rights and recognition. Many of those who were part of the BSCP, and the Ladies Auxiliary went on to be the heart and soul of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, while men of the union went on to become the foundation of the emerging Black middle class. In addition, the BSCP became the backbone of the boots on the ground to drive the Civil Rights Movement.

Historical Significance

The new museum will act as a vital repository of the stories of African American women, shedding light on the crucial role the BSCP Ladies Auxiliary played within the broader labor movement, while highlighting others who helped pave the way. By documenting their experiences, the museum aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the intersection of race, gender, and class in American labor history.

The First Women’s History Museum Dedicated to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) to Break Ground March 29

What: Press Conference and Groundbreaking Ceremony for the BSCP Ladies Auxiliary Women’s History Museum

When: 2:00 p.m. March 29, 2025

Where: 10432 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, (a few doors south of the National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum)