REMEMBERING OUR GREAT HERITAGE
BLACK HISTORY WALL
We honor Mrs. Iray Woods Tisdale. the eldest member of the WOMEN FOR CHANGE-CARBONDALE
Iray Franklin Woods, 92 years old, a lifelong resident of Carbondale and one of the eldest members of the Women For Change/Unity In The CommUnity Organization. She was born and raised in a time period 1920-1940 when Carbondale saw its largest growth of black families. As she grew up through hard times of the Great Depression, - but black businesses soared in the Northeast community. Black families became landowners, the all black Attucks Elementary and High School was built which she graduated from in 1943. She witnessed the era when blacks were hired by the IC railroad, Kopper’s Wood Treatment Plant, and SIU Carbondale. She lived through the segregated times when black students attending SIU-C were not allowed to stay in the dorms but found housing from a welcome kindhearted northeast SIDE community. Students became extended family in community homes thus becoming extended family of play brothers and play sisters to many.
Mrs. Iray Franklin Woods Tisdale continues to have a passion for Community by serving as an advisor, co-captain for Area 4 - Street Awareness program , and co-coordinator of our COMMUNITY BAZAAR” event. She serves as a member of “Church Women United, Eastern Stars, Northeast Congress, Citizen for Participation, and volunteer for I Can Read Program. She continues be a member of the Mother’s Board and Missionary Emeritus with the Church of God In Christ and member of ZION Temple COGIC.
Mrs. Iray is soft spoken and prefers to work behind the scenes --- has been a member of the Carbondale neighborhood all of her life and notices that the community has unconstructively shifted its demeanor. She remembers a time when people cared about each other, when people would move into the northeast community and were courteously greeted on day one. She noted the neighborhood volunteers would visit and check in with new residents to make sure needs were met. She remembers when blacks had no phones --- yes before party lines--- but a kindhearted white man on Marion Street who would allow the blacks from the neighborhood to make phone calls there. She said that was real CommUnity .
Mrs. Iray remembers her late husband Arnold Woods a community activist, a local politician, sponsor of little leaguers, and a baseball coach who had an undying love for community. She said together they created many activities at the Attucks Park for young black boys and girls in the neighborhood well into the 60’s. And, she still recognizes the importance and benefits of finding ways to direct, support, challenge and motivate our children.
She believes the Women For Change should continue to strive for a connected community, a clean litter free neighborhood, and a community that provides multifaceted services for the young people. She continues to firmly believe that the Community must never forget our young people...starting with our own families but also always fostering other community youngsters growth potential as well. She often says that, “Charity starts at home and it literally did as she is certainly proud of her six children and their successes moving through life’s journey:
•the Late Linda Woods Moore, Mortuary Science Graduate and a Licensed Funeral Home OWNER/Director
•Arnold Jr., a retired University Administrator, Former State of IOWA and NEBRASKA NAACP President, and Community Social and Human Justice Advocate in Des Moines, Iowa.
•Raydean E. Woods James, retired administrator with the ILLINOIS State Board of Education, Consultant to Dept of Human Resources Washington D.C.,
•Bradford Woods retired Civil Engineer, OWNER of B&A Catering, Community Activist In Des Moines, Iowa, and
•Kendall Woods retired Air Force Veteran and 2nd Retirement from ILLINOIS Dept of Corrections.
Mrs. Iray Franklin Woods Tisdale continues to have a passion for Community by serving as an advisor, co-captain for Area 4 - Street Awareness program , and co-coordinator of our COMMUNITY BAZAAR” event. She serves as a member of “Church Women United, Eastern Stars, Northeast Congress, Citizen for Participation, and volunteer for I Can Read Program. She continues be a member of the Mother’s Board and Missionary Emeritus with the Church of God In Christ and member of ZION Temple COGIC.
Mrs. Iray is soft spoken and prefers to work behind the scenes --- has been a member of the Carbondale neighborhood all of her life and notices that the community has unconstructively shifted its demeanor. She remembers a time when people cared about each other, when people would move into the northeast community and were courteously greeted on day one. She noted the neighborhood volunteers would visit and check in with new residents to make sure needs were met. She remembers when blacks had no phones --- yes before party lines--- but a kindhearted white man on Marion Street who would allow the blacks from the neighborhood to make phone calls there. She said that was real CommUnity .
Mrs. Iray remembers her late husband Arnold Woods a community activist, a local politician, sponsor of little leaguers, and a baseball coach who had an undying love for community. She said together they created many activities at the Attucks Park for young black boys and girls in the neighborhood well into the 60’s. And, she still recognizes the importance and benefits of finding ways to direct, support, challenge and motivate our children.
She believes the Women For Change should continue to strive for a connected community, a clean litter free neighborhood, and a community that provides multifaceted services for the young people. She continues to firmly believe that the Community must never forget our young people...starting with our own families but also always fostering other community youngsters growth potential as well. She often says that, “Charity starts at home and it literally did as she is certainly proud of her six children and their successes moving through life’s journey:
•the Late Linda Woods Moore, Mortuary Science Graduate and a Licensed Funeral Home OWNER/Director
•Arnold Jr., a retired University Administrator, Former State of IOWA and NEBRASKA NAACP President, and Community Social and Human Justice Advocate in Des Moines, Iowa.
•Raydean E. Woods James, retired administrator with the ILLINOIS State Board of Education, Consultant to Dept of Human Resources Washington D.C.,
•Bradford Woods retired Civil Engineer, OWNER of B&A Catering, Community Activist In Des Moines, Iowa, and
•Kendall Woods retired Air Force Veteran and 2nd Retirement from ILLINOIS Dept of Corrections.
- Donnell Woods, retired cab driver, St. Louis Mo
REVEREND LOYD SUMNER
Pastor Reverend Loyd Sumner was the former pastor at Olivet Freewill Baptist Church and civic leader in the City of Carbondale. He moved to Carbondale in 1961 to minister hope to a declining congregation that needed a strong but innovative pastor. At the age of twenty eight, the youngest pastor to ever serve, moved to Carbondale with his family . He challenged church department heads to reach for excellence, encouraged women auxiliaries to strive for bigger roles in the church, and was a constant encourager of women in Ministry. Under his tutelage, the Choir, the music ministry grew vast and recorded its first album . The Choir became popular and in demand for tours, concerts, and musicals under the Direction of Kay Pace, London Branch, Jerry Nance, Charles Arnette, Charles Slaughter, Darvell Samuels, and Ronald Scott .
Not only was Pastor Sumner a civic leader for 40 years and pastor for 16 years, but he was also a SIU Carbondale graduate with a major in Radio and Television. He was Community minded, and always open to new ideas for change. His ideas were forward looking , his faith called for a man of action, and his originality made him a pioneer to many. Pastor Sumner would often embrace changes in the community that some others would highly question: For example, in the late sixties, he allowed members of the local Black Panther Party to use the church facility to serve and feed Children before school. This program was amazingly successful in Carbondale and nationwide as it put pressure on the political leaders to feed ALL the children before school. And today as a result of many acts of change in our government it is uncommon not to see the public schools feeding children breakfast.
Pastor Sumner contributed much to Carbondale community with the passion that “ if a man or woman is given the opportunity to work , they will change their immediate environment (family), and thus be a positive role model for their community”. He engaged himself into many political arenas with the ultimate goal to bring jobs to minorities in Carbondale. He worked along side the late Senator Paul Simon to discuss Labor Laws to ensure that minorities and women were assured jobs in this region.
As newly elected President of the North east Development Congress he appeared at the city town meeting and strongly contested the city councils awarding of a demolition contract to an out of town construction company which would not have provided employment for local and area black workers. The initial contract was significant because it would have served as a precedent for subsequent contracts being awarded including an $800,000 one for construction of a new multipurpose facility. (We know now to be Eurma Hayes Center). Following a heated debate with several council members and the city manager, Rev. Sumner sent a telegram to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Washington DC calling for the government agency nullification of the city’s erroneous discriminatory actions. Within a week the federal agency had rescinded the city’s action for their failure to comply with Executive Order 11246 as Pastor Sumner had previously argued. The City of Carbondale not only became subsequently compliant with HUD’s instructions but moved additionally to hire black compliance officer to ensure that at least 16% of all members of construction work forces on all projects would be black and/or minority persons.
His list of services include :
President of the Carbondale NAACP, Executive Director of the Jackson Williamson War On Poverty, President of the Citizen Participation program,
One of the founders of the Police Review Board In Carbondale, Greater Egypt Regional and Development Corporation, Concerned citizens for present and former Inmates of Marion Federal Prison, Pre-School child parent committee , Carbondale planning and zoning commission, Model Cities Task Force, Instructor at Marion IL Federal Prison, Retired from Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Labor Department Representative, Author of a publication “How to get a job” published by the Illinois Labor Division and used throughout the State.
TODAY THE WOMEN FOR CHANGE HONOR PASTOR LOYD SUMNER a MAN brought his SEAT TO THE TABLE.
Not only was Pastor Sumner a civic leader for 40 years and pastor for 16 years, but he was also a SIU Carbondale graduate with a major in Radio and Television. He was Community minded, and always open to new ideas for change. His ideas were forward looking , his faith called for a man of action, and his originality made him a pioneer to many. Pastor Sumner would often embrace changes in the community that some others would highly question: For example, in the late sixties, he allowed members of the local Black Panther Party to use the church facility to serve and feed Children before school. This program was amazingly successful in Carbondale and nationwide as it put pressure on the political leaders to feed ALL the children before school. And today as a result of many acts of change in our government it is uncommon not to see the public schools feeding children breakfast.
Pastor Sumner contributed much to Carbondale community with the passion that “ if a man or woman is given the opportunity to work , they will change their immediate environment (family), and thus be a positive role model for their community”. He engaged himself into many political arenas with the ultimate goal to bring jobs to minorities in Carbondale. He worked along side the late Senator Paul Simon to discuss Labor Laws to ensure that minorities and women were assured jobs in this region.
As newly elected President of the North east Development Congress he appeared at the city town meeting and strongly contested the city councils awarding of a demolition contract to an out of town construction company which would not have provided employment for local and area black workers. The initial contract was significant because it would have served as a precedent for subsequent contracts being awarded including an $800,000 one for construction of a new multipurpose facility. (We know now to be Eurma Hayes Center). Following a heated debate with several council members and the city manager, Rev. Sumner sent a telegram to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Washington DC calling for the government agency nullification of the city’s erroneous discriminatory actions. Within a week the federal agency had rescinded the city’s action for their failure to comply with Executive Order 11246 as Pastor Sumner had previously argued. The City of Carbondale not only became subsequently compliant with HUD’s instructions but moved additionally to hire black compliance officer to ensure that at least 16% of all members of construction work forces on all projects would be black and/or minority persons.
His list of services include :
President of the Carbondale NAACP, Executive Director of the Jackson Williamson War On Poverty, President of the Citizen Participation program,
One of the founders of the Police Review Board In Carbondale, Greater Egypt Regional and Development Corporation, Concerned citizens for present and former Inmates of Marion Federal Prison, Pre-School child parent committee , Carbondale planning and zoning commission, Model Cities Task Force, Instructor at Marion IL Federal Prison, Retired from Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Labor Department Representative, Author of a publication “How to get a job” published by the Illinois Labor Division and used throughout the State.
TODAY THE WOMEN FOR CHANGE HONOR PASTOR LOYD SUMNER a MAN brought his SEAT TO THE TABLE.
Thirty nine years Ago.....
778 BULLETSApril 08, 2013
View larger image.
As a part of the Imagine Geographies series, this weekend there will be an event centered around civil rights history, archiving and community organizing at Thomas School on Saturday, 2-5pm. Please join us for a screening of the award-winning documentary short, 778 Bullets.
778 BULLETS
Running time 18 minutes, documentary short
Directed by Angela Aguayo ([email protected])
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/49683155
In November 1970, university, state and local police shot 778 Bullets into an off campus rental house in Carbondale, IL. The residence was rented to a handful of university students, some were assumed to be associated with the local Black Panther Party. Unlike other police raids of known Black Panther residences across the country, the Carbondale Panthers shot back. Using archive material, newspaper accounts, witness testimony and experts in the field, 778 Bullets recovers a little known history of resistance and resilience of the human struggle for self-determination. The dominant memory of the Black Panther Party would have us believe that the Panthers existed only in major urban cities; this story documents a more rural presence of radical politics and the struggle for civil rights.
Festival Screenings: NewFilmmakers New York 2013
View larger image.As a part of the Imagine Geographies series, this weekend there will be an event centered around civil rights history, archiving and community organizing at Thomas School on Saturday, 2-5pm. Please join us for a screening of the award-winning documentary short, 778 Bullets.
778 BULLETS
Running time 18 minutes, documentary short
Directed by Angela Aguayo ([email protected])
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/49683155
In November 1970, university, state and local police shot 778 Bullets into an off campus rental house in Carbondale, IL. The residence was rented to a handful of university students, some were assumed to be associated with the local Black Panther Party. Unlike other police raids of known Black Panther residences across the country, the Carbondale Panthers shot back. Using archive material, newspaper accounts, witness testimony and experts in the field, 778 Bullets recovers a little known history of resistance and resilience of the human struggle for self-determination. The dominant memory of the Black Panther Party would have us believe that the Panthers existed only in major urban cities; this story documents a more rural presence of radical politics and the struggle for civil rights.
Festival Screenings: NewFilmmakers New York 2013
SHELLY CHAPPELL
TODAY WOMEN FOR CHANGE HONOR THE LEGACY OF MR. SHELLY CHAPPELL for his contribution to the Carbondale Northeast Community.
Mr. Shelly M. Chappell was a Carbondale resident since the early 1900s. Born in Spring Hill, Tennessee he migrated to Carbondale with his parents, Amos and Belle (Fowler) Chappell and several brothers and sisters. He married Iva Melton on August 28, 1919, and parented six children.
Working at the Koppers Tie Plant from his late teens until his retirement,
Mr. Chappell was an aggressive fighter for the members of his local of the United Mine Workers of America District 50. Mr. Shelly Chappell, a change agent, made an impact in the community and a difference in the lives of Black Laborers and their families. As President of the United Mine Workers Union for the Kopper plant in Carbondale, he worked hard to bring about beneficial changes in the workplace for black workers. He was key in the negotiation of wage increases for tie plant workers. In the 60s after three extended negotiations had failed, he led a strike against the Plant
with 115 common and skilled laborers. The strike slowed down the Plant for about 17 days but led to a bargaining agreement with the workers for a pay increase.
Shelly Chappell, was known as a community activist, and politically charged man in the community. He continues to be remembered for his stand for better work conditions and wage increases. The Kopper Tie Plant was one of the main reasons for the rise in population of blacks on the northeast side of Carbondale. Kopper provided homes for workers and their families, and other workers found it worthwhile to move to the northeast side to be in close proximity to the plant.
Other acts of services include: City Auditor, an elected office with City of Carbondale, Past Worshipful Master of the Masonic Tuscan Lodge # 44, and a Past Patron of Marion Chapter No.17 Order of the Eastern Star.
***The attached newspaper articles explain some of the improvements he helped to bring about for Koppers’ black workers. Articles provided by Pat Chappell Hubbard
Mr. Shelly M. Chappell was a Carbondale resident since the early 1900s. Born in Spring Hill, Tennessee he migrated to Carbondale with his parents, Amos and Belle (Fowler) Chappell and several brothers and sisters. He married Iva Melton on August 28, 1919, and parented six children.
Working at the Koppers Tie Plant from his late teens until his retirement,
Mr. Chappell was an aggressive fighter for the members of his local of the United Mine Workers of America District 50. Mr. Shelly Chappell, a change agent, made an impact in the community and a difference in the lives of Black Laborers and their families. As President of the United Mine Workers Union for the Kopper plant in Carbondale, he worked hard to bring about beneficial changes in the workplace for black workers. He was key in the negotiation of wage increases for tie plant workers. In the 60s after three extended negotiations had failed, he led a strike against the Plant
with 115 common and skilled laborers. The strike slowed down the Plant for about 17 days but led to a bargaining agreement with the workers for a pay increase.
Shelly Chappell, was known as a community activist, and politically charged man in the community. He continues to be remembered for his stand for better work conditions and wage increases. The Kopper Tie Plant was one of the main reasons for the rise in population of blacks on the northeast side of Carbondale. Kopper provided homes for workers and their families, and other workers found it worthwhile to move to the northeast side to be in close proximity to the plant.
Other acts of services include: City Auditor, an elected office with City of Carbondale, Past Worshipful Master of the Masonic Tuscan Lodge # 44, and a Past Patron of Marion Chapter No.17 Order of the Eastern Star.
***The attached newspaper articles explain some of the improvements he helped to bring about for Koppers’ black workers. Articles provided by Pat Chappell Hubbard
Richard CLINTON hayes
TODAY THE WOMEN FOR CHANGE HONOR THE LIFE OF RICHARD HAYES
RICHARD CLINTON HAYES CARBONDALE --
Richard was born Dec. 13, 1938, in Carbondale to the late William R. and Eurma C. Hayes. Richard C. Hayes was also the descendant of Hayes family who moved to Carbondale in the 1900s.
Richard Clinton Hayes Sr. "Gaddy”, a lifelong Carbondale resident, Richard was a graduate of Attucks High School and received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, majoring in rehabilitation.
Richard was a community activist and prominent civil rights leader in the Carbondale area. In 1983, as Black Coalition chairman he introduced the idea of the coalition’s first project as a breakfast in memory of King and his advocacy for equality . He is given credit as one of the founders of the NAACP MARTIN LUTHER KING BREAKFAST hosted yearly at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus.
His list of services include past President of NAACP, member of Northeast Congress, Citizen Participation , veteran of the U.S. Navy, a member of the Masonic Lodge Tuscan 44, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Overall he was a man of great humility, and found it not beneath him to be a helper, riding his mower all over town mowing lawns for those who weren't able. He was a faithful member and trustee of Bethel AME Church. He was instrumental in starting the "Feed My Sheep" Community Kitchen at Bethel AME Carbondale, IL.
Bethel AME 316 E. Jackson Street continues to be home of the FEED MY SHEEP COMMUNITY KITCHEN program. Meals are served Monday - Friday from 12:00-1:00 pm. All meals are free to community members.
Donations and volunteers are welcomed.
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER
Food Preparation
Serve Meals
Meal Deliveries
Kitchen Clean up
Dining Room Setup & Clean-up
HOURS TO VOLUNTEER
9 AM - 11 AM
11 AM - 2 PM
For More Information contact Delores Penn 618.521.7424
RICHARD CLINTON HAYES CARBONDALE --
Richard was born Dec. 13, 1938, in Carbondale to the late William R. and Eurma C. Hayes. Richard C. Hayes was also the descendant of Hayes family who moved to Carbondale in the 1900s.
Richard Clinton Hayes Sr. "Gaddy”, a lifelong Carbondale resident, Richard was a graduate of Attucks High School and received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, majoring in rehabilitation.
Richard was a community activist and prominent civil rights leader in the Carbondale area. In 1983, as Black Coalition chairman he introduced the idea of the coalition’s first project as a breakfast in memory of King and his advocacy for equality . He is given credit as one of the founders of the NAACP MARTIN LUTHER KING BREAKFAST hosted yearly at the Southern Illinois University Carbondale campus.
His list of services include past President of NAACP, member of Northeast Congress, Citizen Participation , veteran of the U.S. Navy, a member of the Masonic Lodge Tuscan 44, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Overall he was a man of great humility, and found it not beneath him to be a helper, riding his mower all over town mowing lawns for those who weren't able. He was a faithful member and trustee of Bethel AME Church. He was instrumental in starting the "Feed My Sheep" Community Kitchen at Bethel AME Carbondale, IL.
Bethel AME 316 E. Jackson Street continues to be home of the FEED MY SHEEP COMMUNITY KITCHEN program. Meals are served Monday - Friday from 12:00-1:00 pm. All meals are free to community members.
Donations and volunteers are welcomed.
WAYS TO VOLUNTEER
Food Preparation
Serve Meals
Meal Deliveries
Kitchen Clean up
Dining Room Setup & Clean-up
HOURS TO VOLUNTEER
9 AM - 11 AM
11 AM - 2 PM
For More Information contact Delores Penn 618.521.7424
