Buffalo Creek, Texas (c 1851- March 7, 1942) age ~91 yrs

Lucy Ella Gonzales Parsons was born enslaved. She became a labor organizer and socialist. She was also the spouse of one of the Haymarket martyrs, Albert Parsons. Parson led many demonstrations of the unemployed, homeless, and hungry. One memorable event was the ‘1915 Poor People’s March of the Unemployed’. The march included over 15,000 people. It took place in Chicago on January 17, 1915. During this event, “Solidarity Forever” was sung for the first time. For years, the Chicago Police Department harassed Lucy Parsons. They often arrested her on phony charges. This was done to prevent her from speaking at mass meetings. After she died in a suspicious fire at her home, the police and FBI took all her personal papers. They also confiscated her writings. But her fighting spirit and contributions to making this world a better world will not be forgotten. The Chicago Park District named a park on Belmont Avenue after her in 2004.