Lula Navarro

Lula Navarro was a well known community activist in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago, where she had been a resident since 1974.

She came to Chicago from Mexico and worked in the garment industry at the age of 14. She lost a finger and her job, and took work as a housekeeper. She participated in demonstrations in South Chicago where she was often the only Mexican woman. Lula was involved in Labor and the Farm Workers Movements and was well known for her campaign to build Benito Juarez High School; she continued her involvement through the support of bilingual education and job opportunities.

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Honorary Lula Navarro Way

South Komensky Avenue, from West 31st Street to West 32nd Street

 

Approved: November 2022

Ward: 22
Alderman: Rodriguez
Neighborhood: Little Village

b. San Luis Potosi, Mexico
d. 2004

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Source

20222848
R815

Jesus 'Chuy' Negrete

Jesus ‘Chuy’ Negrete was a famous Mexican-American folk singer and guitarist who also played harmonica. He was a member of the Chicano Youth Movement in the 1960s and the Farm Labor Movement.

He taught Mexican history and culture from youth to the university level, including in the Chicago Public Schools, University of Illinois at Chicago, Roosevelt University, and Robert Morris University.

Chuy founded “Teatro de Barrio” in South Chicago.

He was born in Mexico and came to Texas with his parents who were migrant farm workers. From the age of 7, he lived in the South Chicago neighborhood.

Studs Terkel called him "the Chicano Woody Guthrie."

Alum:

Chicago Vocational High School
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago State University

https://www.chuynegrete.com

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Honorary Jesus ‘Chuy’ Negrete Way

East 91st Street and South Houston Avenue

 

Approved: April 2022

Ward: 10
Alderman: Garza
Neighborhood: South Chicago

near his childhood home 9125 S. Houston

b. San Luis Potosi, Mexico
d. Age 72

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Source

2022745

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Way

Lucy Gonzalez Parsons was a labor activist in the 1870s and the first African-American womens labor organizer. She led the first May Day labor parade in the US which was a testament to the growing labor movement in the wake of the Haymarket Affair. The attention it drew helped establish the 8-hour work day and contributed to the institution of Labor Day as a national holiday.

Lucy was born in Texas around 1853 and was of African-American, and possibly Mexican and Native American descent.  She and her husband, Albert Parsons, moved to Chicago in 1873 to escape personal threats due to their labor views and their inter-racial marriage, which was forbidden. 

Albert made a name for himself during the 1877 rail strikes which swept across the country.  He spoke to crowds of tens of thousands of angry workers and called for peaceful negotiations.  Albert was sentenced to death for his role in the Haymarket Riots.  While in prison he wrote "Anarchism: Its Philosophy and Scientific Basis."  

Lucy's views became more radical and militant after Albert's death.  She published Albert's manifesto and wrote for the publications The Socialist and The Alarm. Lucy co-founded Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) with Eugene Debs and Mother Jones.  She carried on the fight for workers rights for the next 55 years, until the end of her life.

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Lucy Ella Gonzalez Parsons Park 

A Chicago Park is also named in her honor at Belmont and Kilpatrick, which is less than a mile from where she lived. She died in a house fire at 3130 N. Troy Street

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Honorary Lucy Gonzalez Parsons Way

Kedzie and Shubert near the Logan Square Blue Line CTA Station

Ward: 35
Alderman: Ramirez-Rosa
Neighborhood: Avondale / Logan Square
Dedication: May Day, May 1, 2017

Lucy Ella Gonzales Parsons 1853-1942, age 89.

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Lucyparsons.org
DNAinfo, May 1, 2017
IWW.org
Encyclopedia of Chicago