On Tuesday, March 1, 2022, WWHP’s board member, Alma Washington, accepted the Chicago Federation of Labor 2022 Woman of the Year Award. At the meeting and program held during Women’s History Month, women in labor rights were honored. The program began with opening remarks by Robert G. Reiter, Jr., President of the Chicago Federation of Labor; Salute to Trade Union Women, by Katie Jordan, member of the WWHP board and President of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, Chicago Chapter; and Introduction of the Woman of the Year by Nora Cay Ryan, from the Chicago Federation of Labor.

“Stand up, speak out, fight back!” —Alma Washington  

Alma made her way to the podium to a standing ovation, and graciously accepted the award. 

She addressed the audience and spoke with pride about being part of the union family and her involvement as a teacher, actor and playwright. She was very proud to have the opportunity of writing of a play honoring Rev. Addie Wyatt for WWHP, and being able to have Rev. Wyatt and her family be in the audience at a performance of the play.

Alma also spoke of her life-long admiration of Lucy Parsons, who Alma also wrote a play about, and the honor she felt of portraying Parsons, who was much more than her husband, Albert’s, widow. Alma said one of her missions was to flesh out Lucy and other women, and have the stories of these inspirational women come alive to the audience.

Alma is an active member of Actors’ Equity Association, SAG-AFTRA, and works to bring livable working conditions for actors into reality. WWHP congratulates one of our own—Alma Washington!