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March 2019 NEWS Volume VIII, Issue 7 The Marian Cheek Jackson Center For Saving and Making History

50 Years Later: The Struggle and Legacy of the Lenoir Strike Meet Pastor McMillan

On February 24, 1969, UNC With courageous leadership by On November 7, 250 Lenoir workers women like Elizabeth Brooks and resumed the strike. Eventually, after cafeteria workers— almost all of Mary Smith, the first phase of the negotiations and concessions from whom were African American and strike met with some success. The strikers, the strike came to an end on many of whom lived in Northside— strike ended on March 21 when December 9, 1969. The University met began a major stoppage that became the governor authorized a raise many of the workers’ demands; the known as “The Lenoir Strike.” At and met most demands. But many workers formed the historic UNC Non- stake were pay well below minimum workers were laid off, and the Academic Workers Union. On the wage, a long-delayed raise, hiring University contracted out food anniversary of this remarkable success, practices that denied benefits, and services to the private California we should remember the violence supervisory discrimination against company SAGA. When Lenoir inflicted on protestors and on the 69 Black employees. The protest grew, workers attempted to unionize, the workers (of an original 150 full-time and while the demands seemed company balked. Elizabeth workers) who were laid off by SAGA within reach, negotiations ran out of Brooks, a cafeteria worker and within a year of the original February steam in early March. Protests union organizer told the Daily 1969 strike. boiled over, and an uprising ensued. Tarheel that at that point she — Wyatt Woodson The Governor then called in the “could not think of any options the In honor of Women’s History Month, National Guard and authorized use workers had except strike or Hear from Mary Smith, one of the strike we recognize the Pastor of New Vision of force by riot police to reopen the slowly be laid off.” leaders, at: soundcloud.com/sohp/ Church of God of Prophecy (COGOP), dining hall. e0080_mary-smith-police. Rev. Dardanella McMillan. Pastor McMillan was called into the ministry in 1996 and has been pastoring for We learned from Angela Bynum, approximately 8 years. She has been at A Story of whose family is six generations New Vision COGOP for almost 5 strong in Northside and whose years. She and her family live in Food and mother participated in the 1969 Graham and commute to Chapel Hill. Lenoir strike, what it’s like to COGOP has been on Church Street Fearlessness work in Lenoir today. Before since 1972 after moving from Merritt speaking with Angela we were Mill Road. Here is a short excerpt from UNC students Jess Casimir, under the impression that the a conversation with Kathy Atwater: Tatiana Farmer, and Ray Garcia mass production of food took all reflect on the impact of the Lenoir essence of meaning out of it. Q. What are some of the challenges strike and confront historical However, Angela's use of mass you face as a female Pastor? amnesia on campus: produced food shows that it's not A. Changing the mindset of people the food itself, but those who who still think God did not call women The UNC Food Workers Strike of make and serve it, that give it to pastor or to preach. This could be a 1969, commonly known as the power. struggle if I allowed it to be, but I’m Lenoir Strike, catalyzed concern "Angie always brightens not listening to man, I’m listening to about the working conditions of With Angela’s help, we produced my day...she used to slide God, because He called me. cafeteria workers at UNC. The a digital story that connects the me some extra cookies Q. What gets you through these nearly year-long strike put gender past with the present and explores every once in a while.” challenges? and race at the center of labor how students can address social A. I love excitement, I love to smile, I disputes, protest, and organizing. justice. — Mabel D’Souza, UNC student love to be happy, and I want to share the Word! The joy of The Lord is my Under threat of arrest and Visit our project on the website of strength. If I lose my strength, then I violence, with the support of the the Jackson Center: https:// If you have stories you want to lose my purpose. emerging Black Student archives.jacksoncenter.info/APAT/ share about the Cafeteria Q. What is the funniest thing you recall Movement, the Campus Y, and 841) or go to https:// Workers Strike, contact the as a Pastor? civil rights leaders from across the jacksoncenter.info, click on Jackson Center at A. One Sunday morning the Sunday South, workers finally gained Northside Stories, then Oral 919-960-1670. We’d like to School class, which ranges in age from improvements in wages and History Trust, then type “Lenoir make sure that your history is 2-16, was asked, “How many of you policy. strike” into the search bar. heard! know that God is good?” The kids shouted, “I do!” “Who is good?” “God is!” “Who woke you up this morning?” “God did!”“Who fed you this Performance, Exhibit Recognize Lenoir Cafeteria Workers Strike morning?” They paused and looked at each other and said, “Nobody!” They hadn’t eaten before they came to church! Fifty years after the Lenoir strikes, on March 20, Q. What has been the response of the 2019, members of PlayMakers Repertory Company students in the neighborhood? will join with the Wilson Library to recognize the A. We’ve had students visit our workers’ struggle. They will present, Voices From the services, and they enjoyed it, calling Archives: The 1969 UNC Food Workers Strike. New Vision the “Spirit-filled church.” Some students have even The performance is created from oral histories of interviewed us. We try to make them students and workers involved in the strike, including feel welcomed by reaching out to them Mary Smith and Elizabeth Brooks--two of the strike first. leaders--as well as UNC student and BSM President Q. What advice would you give to Preston Dobbins. Director Kathryn Hunter Williams The performance is part of the special exhibit, Service other female leaders? is excited to bring these voices to life: “Given the Not Servitude: The 1969 Food Workers Strikes at UNC- A. I have been blessed to have support student leadership with Silent Sam, it is so good to be Chapel Hill. It is free and open to the public. Voices From from my family and my church family. reminded of how vital student actions are. We saw it The Archives will be presented Wednesday March 20, Surround yourself with strong leaders with the confederate monument, and we will now 2019 at Wilson Library, UNC, Chapel Hill. Come from who will be your biggest supporters hear the words of the students and workers from 4:30-5:30 pm for the reception and the exhibition. The and aid you in facing the challenges 1969. It is a good lesson to remember when times are program and performance will begin at 5:30. you will encounter as a female leader; tough and forward momentum seems doubtful.” trust God and allow Him to lead you. — Kathy Atwater jacksoncenter.info | 512 W Rosemary Street (919) 960-1670 A Month of Mentoring: Reminding Students Every Day Is Black History Day

T he Jackson Center’s Ms. Clementine Self on panel When one of the students asked Ms. Pat Community Mentor team was what lessons she learned from the civil very busy speaking to students at East Chapel Hill High rights movement, Ms. Pat told the in schools throughout the audience of fourth graders: “I am better district in February. Here are able to stand up to adversity, to stand up just some of the highlights: for things that are not right, and to always make sure that my voice is heard.”

Rev. Albert Williams Ms. Gwen Atwater and Mr. Speaks at Carrboro In Memoriam: Ronnie Bynum Join Read-In at Carrboro Elementary Celebrating the life Ms. Clementine Fearrington Self, a resident of Ms. Valencia of Broad St. and a long-time teacher in Mr. Ronnie Bynum and Ms. Gwen Chapel Hill, spoke on a panel with Chapel Atwater, a retired Frank Porter Graham Selene Clark Hill-Carrboro school district Superintendent teacher revered for her high expectations Pamela Baldwin and Lee Williams, Director and support for all of her students, for Equity. She addressed racism in a school participated in a “Read-in” featuring M s. Valencia Clark, a Rev. Albert Williams, one of the district with one of the largest opportunity African-American children’s books at member of Orange Grove Chapel Hill Nine who gaps between white and black students in Carrboro Elementary on February 20. Missionary Baptist Church in participated in Chapel Hill’s the country: “Just because our schools Students listened attentively as Mr. Ronnie Durham and resident of the first sit-in at Colonial Drug desegregated doesn’t mean they integrated. added some lesser-known details to the Pine Knolls neighborhood, Store on Franklin Street on That’s just words being tossed around. familiar story about Rosa Parks: Because there is just as much racism in our departed from this life on February 28, 1960, spoke “Rosa was not the first African-American country today as there was when Brown v. February 11, 2019. She together with Howard Lee, to sit at the front of the bus. It was a Board of Education took place. … The graduated from Chapel Hill Chapel Hill’s first and only fifteen-year old young lady that sat on the children feel it, and the parents feel it.” High School in 1975 and served black mayor, at Carrboro High bus and got thrown out of the bus. … The the community for many years School on February 7. He NAACP picked Rosa and had her sit on as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant. recalled the interview that got Mr. Ronnie Bynum and Ms. Pat the bus, because she would make a great Her friends and neighbors knew him the job as Chapel Hill’s first spokesperson. Now the NAACP and the her as a high-spirited woman black firefighter: “They asked Jackson featured at McDougle rest of the world could see Rosa Parks who enjoyed the many activities me, ‘If you were given an order Elementary fighting for the rights of this fifteen-year- at the Seymour Senior Center to put the firehose on a group of old.” and was actively involved with protestors to break up a crowd, the Narcotics Anonymous would you do it?’ That was a Mr. Ronnie Bynum, one of the first students Fellowship. She is survived by hot question to me, and in my to integrate the all-white Carrboro six sisters and one brother, mind I said, ‘Here it goes. I Elementary school, and Ms. Pat Jackson, a “Children have opinions seven nieces and nephews, five won’t get the job.’ I said, ‘No, passionate speaker and a young participant just like adults do.” great nieces and nephews, and a in the freedom movement, spoke at sir, I would not.’” Ms. Gwen Atwater host of relatives and friends. McDougle Elementary on February 27.

Seeking Ask Keith Neighborhood Volunteers!! Q:Following the Chapel Hill 9 dedication, are there any other unsung heroes in Chapel Hill- Carrboro the public should know about? The Jackson Center is looking for neighbors to A: Recently, the Town of Chapel Hill honored host small porch/front the Chapel Hill 9 for their contribution to the yard celebrations in Civil Rights Movement in Chapel Hill. This was March and April. We’ll a great honor that the town bestowed upon this provide the charcoal! group of men. But there are many others. Who else should be recognized? I have had many Newsies needed! If you inquiries asking if I knew any other unsung can help by taking on a heroes in Chapel Hill and Carrboro. If you know Northside News of any other unsung heroes (i.e. civil rights, delivery route, call us! social issues, athletics, etc.), please call or email the Jackson Center to let us know so we can 919-960-1670 include them in our newsletters. Northside Trivia

How it works: If you think you know Community Board This months question: Who are the answer, call the Jackson Center at the two members of the band Liquid (919) 960-1670 any time from 9-5 to Pleasure that grew up in the win a Northside button! Whoever Parks and Rec Programs at Orange County Senior ‘I love my HBCU’ Northside neighborhood? ends the year with the most buttons Hargraves for Children Games Alumni Event Last months answer: Northside civil will be our Northside News Trivia Ages 2-5 Champion and receive a trophy! rights movement leader Harold Foster Next event: March 20 April 6-May 4 Saturday, April 13 stated, “Man this town is hard to 9:30-10:30 Celebration: May 8 7-10PM crack. It’s called a liberal place, but that’s a mirage, man. When you go to Tickets: $25 get water, all you get is a mouthful of Hargraves Community OCSG celebrates artists Center, Roberson St. sand.” and athletes! If you’re Hampton Inn & Suites, 370 over 50 and into arts or E. Main St., Carrboro Sham-Rockin’ Good Time sports—from quilting to March 20, 9:30-10:30 am April Birthdays horseshoes— register The Orange Chapter of the $2 Registered now! $3 Non-registered NCCU Alumni Association is hosting a game night Matthew Fearrington 4/22 Nikki Harmony, Seth Kotch Kids will take home St. Registration deadline: 4/6 Patrick-themed arts and with line dancing, food, March 22 and fun. 4/12 Barbara Davis 4/23 Calvin Neville crafts and enjoy storytelling with songs and much more! Represent your HBCU (t- Call Myra Austin shirt, hat, pin, colors or 4/17 William Page 4/28 Michael Palmer 919-245-2020 Save the date: more) for a chance for your maustin@ university to win a $250 If you are interested in receiving a digital copy of the newsletter, send us your Spring Fever orangecountync.gov email address! [email protected] April 17, 9:30-10:30 am donation to the scholarship fund.

jacksoncenter.info | 512 W Rosemary Street (919) 960-1670