Pullman Porters

Pullman Porters were a group of African American men employed by the Pullman Company to work on sleeping cars of trains in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their duties included assisting passengers, making beds, and providing meals, contributing to the comfort of train travel. Despite facing harsh working conditions and low wages, they played a vital role in the railroad industry. Pullman Porters also became key figures in the civil rights movement, organizing labor unions and advocating for better treatment and pay, thereby creating a lasting legacy in American history and labor rights.