Rev. Addie Wyatt

Addie Wyatt (Cameron) Is Born

Mar 8, 1924

Rev. Addie Wyatt was born on March 8, 1924 in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Ambrose and Maggie Cameron. She was the second born and the oldest daughter of eight children. Information on picture: This picture is an overview of the town of Brookhaven, Mississippi, a town that is sixty miles south of the states capital of Jacksonville.

Marriage, Kids, And A New Job.

1941

At the young age of sixteen, Addie Wyatt (Cameron) married her high school sweetheart and the couple had two kids together, Renaldo Wyatt and Claude S. Wyatt III. In order to support her family, Wyatt became an employee of an Amour and Company meatpacking plant as a typist. During her first day of work, she was ordered to work in the canning department as African American women were not allowed to be a typist. Information on picture: One of many of the Armour and Company building.

1950-1954: A Dedication For Change Begins

1950

When Wyatt found out the United Packinghouse Workers of America did not discriminate their members, she immediately joined the union which started her dedication for gender equality. She became a forefront leader and fought race-based and gender-based inequalities. Her goal was to provide a safe and equal workplace and community. In 1954, she became the first African American female president of this union in their local quarters. Information on picture: Logo of the union Addie Wyatt joined.

"Equal Pay For Equal Work"

1955

Wyatt became devoted to this union and worked full-time in representing workings across five different states. Her union included black, white, and Latino workers and they were able to win “equal pay for equal work” in union contracts. Wyatt made strides for gender equality well before the Equal Pay Act of 1964. Information on picture: This picture shows the demand of equal pay for women back in the 1950's around the same time period when Addie Wyatt was advocating for the same thing.

Addie Wyatt Alongside A Hero?

1956

In 1956, Rev. Addie Wyatt began working with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and participated in several civil rights marches including, March on Washington, Selma to Montgomery and the demonstration in Chicago to fight for equal and civil rights. Information on picture: This picture shows the great Addie Wyatt and her seriousness towards the fight for equal and civil rights for all.

Working With The Former First Lady

1962

Eleanor Roosevelt appointed Rev. Addie Wyatt to serve on the Labor Legislation Committee of the Commission on the Status of Women upon noticing her great leadership skills in 1962. Because of Wyatt's hard work and dedication, she helped the world get steps closer with equality by the Equal Pay Act of 1964. Information on picture: Addie Wyatt giving a speech and paving the way to equal rights for all.

1968-1976: Joining Forces and Getting Awards

1968

In 1968, her union joined forces with the Amalgamated Meat Cutters and Butcher Workman of North America and Wyatt was named the director of its Women’s Affairs Department.
In 1976, she became the union’s first female International Vice President and was also named one of TIME Magazines “Twelve Women of the Year” in this same year. Information on picture: This is the cover of the 1976 TIME magazine in which Addie Wyatt was featured in. You can see her image on the bottom left of the cover.

1980's: A Decade Of Awards

1980

In 1980 to 1984, Wyatt was one of Ebony Magazine's 100 most influential African Americans. In 1987, The Coalition of Black Trade Unionists established the Addie L. Wyatt Award. Information on picture: This is the cover of the 1980 Ebony Magazine, the first of four consecutive years that Addie Wyatt was featured.

Retiring And A New Beginning

1984

Wyatt retired from full-time union work in 1984 to become a full-time minister at the Vernon Park Church of God, a church that her and her husband established in Chicago. Information on picture: This is a picture of the Vernon Park Church of God as it stands today.

Induction

2003

Rev. Addie Wyatt was inducted as a Laureate (an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement) of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and was given the Order of Lincoln (the award with highest honor in the State) by the Governor of Illinois in the category of Religion and Labor. Information on picture: Addie Wyatt at The Lincoln Academy of Illinois while receiving her award.

Rest In Peace

Mar 28, 2012

After a long and fulfilled life of fighting for equal, civil rights for all, Rev. Addie Wyatt died on March 28, 2012 in Chicago, Illinois at the age of eighty-eight. Information on picture: Addie Wyatt in the 1950's in her prime of working towards equality; something she should always be remembered for.

Work Cited

2018

“Reverend Addie Wyatt.” Reverend Addie Wyatt | The HistoryMakers, 1 June 2002, www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/reverend-addie-wyatt. “International Civil Rights: Walk of Fame.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/features/malu/feat0002/wof/Addie_Wyatt.htm. Walker, Marcia. Wyatt, Rev. Addie (1924-2012) | The Black Past: Remembered and Reclaimed, www.blackpast.org/aah/wyatt-rev-addie-1924-2012.