The A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum, helmed by founder, Dr. Lyn Hughes and president, David A. Peterson, Jr., hosted its annual “Gentle Warrior Awards,” a black-tie gala fundraising event that recognizes difference makers in employment and labor in Chicago. The event took place at the spectacular IBEW Local Headquarters at 2722 South Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, on the evening of February 25, 2023, and had as its Master of Ceremonies, ABC Channel 7’s Hosea Sanders. Among the many illustrious guests, was Chicago Mayoral candidate, Brandon Johnson. Glamour and glitz were on full display for this toniest of functions where everyone looked their absolute finest.
Phalanx CEO Among the Honorees
Tina Sanders was among a group of five honorees which included:
- Fred Redmond, AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer, the highest-ranking African American in organized labor.
- The Honorable Arnette Hubbard, retired Judge of the Illinois Supreme Court (who was fabulousness personified).
- Stacy Davis Gates, President of the Chicago Teacher’s Union.
- And Elizabeth Shuler, the first female President of the AFL-CIO.
Also presented with an honorable mention that evening was longtime community advocate, and dear member of the Phalanx Family constellation, Patricia DeBonnett.
Furthermore, the program consisted of:
- Addresses by elected officials, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Lori. E. Lightfoot.
- Video highlights.
- Speeches.
- Live entertainment.
- Lots of picture-taking.
- And, of course, the award presentation itself.
Deserving of mention was the fact that Dr. Hughes and Mr. Peterson made a point of speaking glowingly at various times throughout the evening about their long and beneficial relationship with Phalanx Family Services and the Far South Chicago Coalition, of which Tina Sanders is President.
Nearly 30 Phalanx staff members attended the event, including:
- Director of Operations, Laura Erving-Bailey;
- Finance Manager, Yvette Moore;
- Youth Services Director, Sharon Simmons;
- Chairman of the Far South Chicago Coalition, Joyce Chapman;
- Daughter, Teia Sanders,
- And a host of support staff, family, and friends.
Roaring Applause at the Gentle Warrior Awards
Phalanx clearly had the largest contingency in the gathering which was on full display when Tina Sanders asked all Phalanx attendees to stand and share in the glory of the night’s honor, at which several tables stood to a roaring applause.
The real highlight of the evening was the spirited acceptance speech delivered by Tina Sanders herself. Though initially apprehensive about the task of speaking in front of the largest gathering she’s ever had to address, at least 150, she literally wowed the audience with her retelling of an experience she had attended a breakfast for the board members of a local school earlier that day.
Additionally, she recounted being overwhelmed by a steady unexpected procession of individuals who showered her with praise once they learned she represented Phalanx Family Services. Several people talked about the difference Phalanx made in their and/or the lives of their children. Her recounting of the experience and other remarks brought the audience to laughter and filled the room with the warmth and grace of her acknowledgment of the Phalanx staff and departed husband and co-founder, Gladstone Sanders.
A. Phillip Randolph and the Gentle Warrior Awards
A. Phillip Randolph was a pioneering American labor unionist and civil rights activist of the early 1900s. Following a 10-year campaign, he founded The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Which was the first Black labor union to be recognized in the American Federation of Labor (AFL) in 1925.
Furthermore, not enough can be said about his contributions as an organizer of Black labor rights and forefather of what would become the Civil Rights Movement. Additionally, his impact spans far and wide and touches the lives of virtually every African American family in this country. He helped lay the groundwork for many of the labor and employment rights African Americans enjoy to this very day.
In striving to restore vibrancy and esteem to a long-neglected Far South community and its inhabitants, the A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum was founded by Dr. Lyn Hughes in 1994. Additionally, Hughes wanted to pay justice to the contributions of this significant historical figure, the union he created, and the neighborhood in which they may not have lived but tirelessly toiled. Furthermore, we applaud and support the aspiration of this exceptional institution to expand upon the work that they do and establish the First Black Labor Tourism District in America.
Congratulations to Tina Sanders and all the other honorees for all their work which resulted in this tremendous honor and thank you to the A. Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum for this tremendous evening which was enjoyed by all.
Written by Ramone Giles
Images Courtesy of Raymond Giles
