Flint in Genesee County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons

1853 - 1942

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

1. Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Marker

Inscription. Parsons, a labor organizer known as a powerful writer and speaker, focused on class struggles. She said the strike of the future is not to strike, go out and starve, but remain in and take possession of the property of production. This tactic was used by the UAW in the historic 1936-1937 Sitdown Strike. The Chicago Police said she was "more dangerous than a thousand rioters." In 1942 she died in a fire in her home. Viewed as a threat even in death, the police seized personal papers and books from her gutted house.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Labor Unions • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1942.

Location. 42° 59.361′ N, 83° 42.706′ W. Marker is in Flint, Michigan, in Genesee County. It is at the intersection of Executive Plaza Drive and Penbrook Lane, on the right when traveling east on Executive Plaza Drive. The marker is located in Sitdowners Memorial Park behind UAW Region 1-D Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1901 Executive Plaza Drive, Flint MI 48507, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elizabeth Cady Stanton (here, next to this marker); Carrie Chapman Catt (here, next to this marker); Rhonda Cornum (here, next to this marker);

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Fannie Lou Hamer (here, next to this marker); Rosie the Riveter (here, next to this marker); Frances Perkins (here, next to this marker); UAW Tribute to Women (a few steps from this marker); UAW Veterans (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Flint.

Also see . . . Lucy Parsons. Excerpt:

Little is known about her life following the move to Texas. She worked as a seamstress and a cook for white families. Parsons lived with or was married to a former slave, Oliver Gathing, for a time prior to 1870. During this relationship, she had an infant which died at birth. In 1871, she married Albert Parsons, a former Confederate soldier. They were forced to flee north from Texas in 1873 due to intolerant reactions to their interracial marriage

(Submitted on March 24, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

2. Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Marker

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 26, 2021

3. Location

The marker is located in Sitdowners Memorial Park.

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons image. Click for full size.

Labadie Photograph Collection, University of Michigan, 1920

4. Lucy Gonzalez Parsons

Credits. This page was last revised on March 26, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 271 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.