Lucy Parsons
1851-1942
Lucy Parsons was born between 1851 and 1853. There is much discrepancy surrounding her early life. Most sources speculate she was born into slavery in Texas. She has also acknowledged having Mexican and Native American heritage.
Described by Chicago police as “more dangerous than a thousand rioters” in the 1920’s Lucy and her husband Albert Parsons were anarchist organizers involved in the labor movement, on behalf of people of color, the homeless, political prisoners and women.
Lucy had led marches of working seamstresses while writing for the Socialist and The Alarm.In 1886, Albert had been heavily campaigning for the 8 hour day was arrested and tried by the state of Illinois on charges he had conspired in the Haymarket Affair, an event that was regarded as a political frame up and which marked the beginning of May Day labor rally protests.
Lucy became a champion for his and their comrades freedom with extended speaking tours. She traveled multiple states to fund money for appeal and defense of Albert and the others. Albert was not in the area at the time of the bombing.
Chicago police feared her above all other anarchists calling her “the dusky goddess of anarchy”. She always began her speeches with “I am an anarchist”.
Eight days prior to her husbands execution, she sold 5000 copies of a pamphlet she wrote, “Was it a Fair Trial?”
She was a regular writer for radical publications and local papers covering themes of freedom, equality, solidarity, and child labor.
Parsons died in a house fire in 1942.
“Never be deceived that the rich will allow you to vote away their wealth.”
-Lucy Parsons