Solon C. Bell facts for kids
Solon C. Bell was an important leader for workers in the United States. He helped many African American railroad employees join unions in the 1930s. Unions are groups that help workers get fair pay, good working conditions, and better treatment.
Bell and another organizer, Ishmael Flory, were accused by some union leaders of having certain political beliefs that were not popular at the time. Because of these accusations, they were fired from their jobs. After this, they started their own union called the Dining Car and Railroad Food Workers' Union. Solon C. Bell was later asked to speak before a special committee in the government that was looking into these kinds of political activities.
He was the president of the Dining Car and Railroad Food Workers' Union. Before 1947, when he was let go after people said he was organizing railroad workers with these political ideas, he had also been a leader for hotel workers and bartenders. He was also in charge of a larger group of dining car unions. When he was questioned by a United States Senate committee, he chose not to answer some questions. He faced some minor issues because of this, but he was not put in prison.
His wife, Ida Roberta Bell (born July 3, 1904, died 1992), was also a special person. She made dolls of famous African American historical figures. She used these dolls to teach children about important people from history. Her maiden name was also Bell, and she was born in Nashville, Tennessee.
Contents
Helping Workers Get Fair Treatment
Solon C. Bell worked hard to make sure railroad workers were treated fairly. In the 1930s, he played a big part in helping thousands of railroad employees become part of a union. This meant they had a stronger voice together.
Leading New Unions
After being fired, Solon C. Bell and Ishmael Flory didn't give up. They decided to create their own union. This new union was called the Dining Car and Railroad Food Workers' Union. Bell became the president of this new union.
Working for Dining Car Employees
Before he was let go in 1947, Solon C. Bell was a very active union leader. He helped hotel workers and bartenders. He also led a group called the Joint Council of Dining Car Employees Unions. This group included many unions for people who worked in dining cars on trains.
Facing Challenges and Questions
During his time as a union leader, Solon C. Bell faced some difficult challenges. He was accused of having political ideas that some people in power did not like. These accusations led to him being fired from his job.
Speaking to Government Committees
Because of the accusations, Solon C. Bell was called to speak before a special committee of the United States Senate. This committee was looking into groups that some people thought were a threat. When asked questions by the committee, he decided not to answer some of them. While he faced some small issues because of this, he was not found guilty of anything serious.
Solon C. Bell's Family
Solon C. Bell's wife, Ida Roberta Bell, was also an inspiring person. She used her creativity to teach children about history.
Ida Roberta Bell's Dolls
Ida Roberta Bell made special dolls. These dolls looked like important African American historical figures. She used these dolls to teach young people about history in a fun and engaging way. She was born in Nashville, Tennessee.
See also
- Railway Labor Act
