During WWII, many African American workers migrated to San Francisco's Shipyard, seeking opportunities while facing the harsh realities of Jim Crow. Notable contributions include those of three granddaughters whose relatives were welders, electricians, and sheet-metal workers. These women emphasize their family's sacrifices and resilience, acknowledging the challenges faced, such as the hearing loss experienced by a grandfather using air hammers. They honor the legacy of their ancestors, attributing their successes to the foundations laid by those who sacrificed for a better future.
Once the war ended, he was one of the first African American men to integrate the union and work on the skyscrapers downtown.
My grandfather ultimately lost his hearing because of the air hammers they had to use. That's why it's difficult for me to ever give up because I know what my grandfather went through.
Their stories teach resiliency. Teach you what to brush off your shoulders and what to keep your head high about. They came with nothing and made a community of love and respect.
All three women boast impressive resumes of their own: Pate, a local non-profit executive director with 30 years of local expertise.
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