On Thursday October 9, 1947, the Tacoma Charter of Building Laborers and Hod Carriers honored three members with honorary life membership at a dinner in their union hall. D. L. McInnis became a member in 1916; Joe Collins in 1917; and Dan Avery , a member of the local in Denver, CO in 1888, helped establish the Tacoma chapter when he moved to Tacoma in 1905 and was present when it received its charter in 1911. Left to right, D. L. McInnis, Joe Collins and Dan Avery (T. Times, 10/10/47, p. 12).

Labor unions--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Charters--Tacoma; Aged persons--Tacoma; Building Laborers & Hod Carriers Union Local No. 252 (Tacoma); McInnis, D.L.; Collins, Joe; Avery, Dan;

(Left to right) Estelle Farber, Josephine Barlow, Lydia Carlson, and Mary Coston of the Children's Benevolent League lean over the edge of a"Chuck Wagon" in this publicity photograph from October 1952. The league's annual carnival was held at Laborer's Hall, 9th and Tacoma Avenue, on November 1, 1952. The carnival featured prizes, games, refreshments and other activities. The door prize was a 900-pound steer and a 13-foot home freezer. Proceeds were to help buy supplies and gifts for the children at the Rainier School in Buckley and the school at Lakeland Village in eastern Washington. (TNT, 10/4/1952, p.A-10; & 10/31/1952, p.A-15) TPL-8140

Children's Benevolent League (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Farber, Estelle; Barlow, Josephine; Carlson, Lydia; Coston, Mary; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In 1953, Mrs. Claudia Alsup, of 321 E. 28th St., was crowned Queen of the Valeda Club's 3rd annual Queen Dance. Queen Claudia was voted from a field of ten contestants. Her husband, George Alsup, was manager of Your Friendly Pool Hall at 1552 Broadway. The Valeda Club name meant "wise woman" and the club, at 755 So. Tacoma Ave., was a women's social and insurance lodge. Mrs. Ora Sims was president, Mrs. Josie Robinson vice president, Mrs. Mildred Randle secretary, Mrs. Margaret Howard recording secretary and Mrs. Alvata Stephens treasurer. Members included Mrs. Dorothy Thomas, Mrs. Albert Comb, Louise Turner, Bernice Atkins and Eddie Bennett. (TNT 7/15/1953, Pg. C-12 & TNT 7/21/1953, Pg. 8)) TPL-8583

Valeda Club (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1950-1960; African American women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alsup, Claudia;

The Building and Hod Carriers union celebrated with an "Old Timers' Night". The union presented three union pioneers with honorary lifetime memberships. Seated left to right are the guests of honor, D. L. McInnis, Dan Avery and Joe Collins. Standing are the union officials, Vernie Reed, Ed Younger, Lloyd Warell and Vern Johnson (T. Times, 10/10/47, p. 12).

Labor Unions--Tacoma; Labor leaders--Tacoma; Charters--Tacoma; Aged persons--Tacoma; Building Laborers & Hod Carriers Union Local No. 252 (Tacoma);