The National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, 1199, was a pharmacy and drugstore employee union. In 1958, they embraced the cause of workers in New York’s non-profit hospitals, and organized the predominantly Black and Hispanic female employees in low-skilled jobs. The Bread and Roses Cultural Project is the cultural arm of Local 1199.
Pivotal Moments, Unique Collections
"Celebrating Black History," a Cornell University Library exhibition, honors the history and contributions African Americans have made to American life by highlighting pivotal moments and people that are tied to the Library’s unique collections.
Seemingly unrelated items, such as slave shackles and films from the 1970s, are presented together in this exhibition. Its materials, which are in no way intended to reflect African-American history in its entirety, are snapshots of some important contributions, moments and people represented in the Library’s holdings.
From a newly-acquired hip hop collection to books about notable scientists, entrepreneurs and musicians, the exhibition showcases the breadth and depth of Cornell University Library’s collections. It includes original items and facsimiles from the Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections and several libraries, including Africana, Music, ILR and Law.
“Celebrating Black History: Pivotal Moments, Unique Collections” can be viewed through Feb. 29 in display cases on Olin Library’s main floor next to the periodical reading room and the hallway leading to Kroch Library.