JOHNNIE HENDERSON, JR.

1926 - 1991

A pioneer in helping minorities in Texas through the strength of unions, Johnnie Henderson exerted influence not only on labor, but on civil rights and politics.

The native of Wharton began in the union movement in 1945 as an OCAW member in Texas City. He later joined the ILA in Galveston and AFSCME Local 1498(now Local 1550). In 1968.

Brother Henderson joined the Texas AFL-CIO as a Field Representative and in 1973, he became the Human Relations Director, where he worked until his retirement in 1989. He was also a national Executive Board member of the A. Philip Randolph Institute and a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Of his many organizing triumphs, Henderson may be best known for organizing workers at the Galveston Memorial Hospital. He also fought for single-member election districts in Texas City and other parts of the state, giving minorities a greater say in the political process.

A man of great humor, Henderson embraced life and always gave back more than he received. With his devoted family, we salute the life and the memory of a trailblazer, a visionary, a builder and leader.