Rowena Moore facts for kids

Rowena Moore (born September 10, 1910, died December 15, 1998) was an important African-American activist. She worked hard for workers' rights and her community. Rowena Moore also started the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation in Omaha, Nebraska. She helped make sure the Malcolm X House Site was recognized as a special historical place. This site is important because of its connection to the famous civil rights leader, Malcolm X. It is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and Nebraska's own list of historic sites.

Early Life & Moving to Omaha

Rowena Moore was born in Meridian, Oklahoma. In 1924, her family moved to Omaha, Nebraska. Her father found a job in the meatpacking industry there. When she was 15, Rowena started working in a packing plant too. She even said she was 16 to get the job. Her first task was scraping fat from animal parts.

Fighting for Workers' Rights

Helping Women in Meatpacking

During World War II, many women started working in factories. But Rowena Moore noticed that African-American women faced unfair treatment. They were often not given jobs in the meatpacking industry.

So, Moore created a group called the Defense Women’s Club. This group was made of black women. They wanted to get jobs and help with the war effort. Their goals included promoting war bonds and food rationing. They also wanted to make sure working mothers had child care. Most importantly, they fought for jobs for black women.

They wrote letters to the federal Fair Employment Practices Committee. An official came to Omaha to investigate. This official ordered the South Omaha packing houses to stop being unfair. Soon after, Moore and about 400 other women were hired. Moore worked in the meatpacking industry for twenty years. She even kept her job after soldiers returned from the war.

Leading in Labor Unions

Rowena Moore became a leader in the meat cutters’ local union. She was elected as its secretary. In 1948, she became secretary of the Omaha Metropolitan Labor Council.

In the 1950s, meatpacking plants tried to limit jobs again. Moore continued to challenge this unfair treatment. Because of her actions, she was fired from the plants. But this did not stop her passion for social justice. She kept fighting for what was right.

Honoring Malcolm X's Legacy

Founding the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation

In 1971, Moore was elected chairwoman of the Douglas County Democratic Central Committee. She was also the first black woman to run for the Omaha City Council.

Rowena Moore was inspired by listening to speeches by Malcolm X. She decided to start an organization to help African-Americans. She learned that her father had lived in the house where Malcolm X first lived. Her family still owned this property.

So, Moore became the first president of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. Her family donated their five lots of land to start the foundation. Eventually, the foundation gained more than 60 lots for its center.

Preserving the Malcolm X House Site

Moore led the effort to get the Malcolm X House Site recognized. The original house was torn down in 1965. This happened before her family realized its connection to Malcolm X.

Today, the Foundation works to promote cultural and educational topics. It has preserved the site at 3448 Pinkney Street. This site is now recognized as a Nebraska historical heritage site. It is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Foundation plans to turn the property into a park. They want to connect it to a nearby city park.

Continuing Malcolm X's Influence

Moore kept looking for ways to honor Malcolm X. In 1989, she suggested renaming the North Omaha Freeway as the Malcolm X Freeway. In the early 1990s, she helped organize a gathering. This event celebrated Malcolm X's life. It was held with the African-American Progressive Action Network. The National Malcolm X Commemoration Commission also helped.

Other Work & Personal Life

Besides her work in meatpacking and public life, Moore had other interests. In the 1950s, she owned a grocery store. She also managed several musical quartets. She even produced a movie called "The Sacred Beauty." Another woman from Omaha starred in this film.

In 1927, Rowena Moore got married. She and her husband later divorced. They had one son together.