Activist Spotlight: Irving Gordon

This graphic was part of our Hanukkah series where we featured figures from the labor and civil rights movements whose legacy we look to for light in dark times. Artwork by Ivy Lyster.

This week, we are featuring an activist from history. Irving Gordon was an influential Workers Circle activist from our Southern District. Trained as an optician, Gordon served as chairman of the Atlanta branch of the Workers Circle during the height of the Civil Rights movement, as well as acting as the spokesperson for the Jewish Labor Committee in the same period.

Speaking to the press after participating with the Workers Circle’s contingent in the Selma-Montgomery march, Gordon said, “I was particularly proud of many Southern Jews whose very presence among the marchers belied the remarks of some to the effect that Southern Jewry would fear to rise and be counted in this historic adventure. The liberal and progressive Southern Jew has constantly been in the foreground of every effort on behalf of civil and human rights within his community.”

For the Workers Circle’s dedicated to the struggle for civil rights for Black Americans, the NAACP presented our organization with a lifetime membership just days later. Check out the photo below.

A certificate of membership is presented to the Workers Circle by Roy Wilkins, Executive Director of the NAACP

From Right to Left: Nate Peskin, Director of Member Activities; Jacob T. Zuckerman, President of the Workers Circle; Roy Wilkins, Executive Director of the NAACP; Benjamin Gebiner, Executive Secretary of  the Workers Circle. Photo is from the March/April 1965 issue of The Call.

The Workers Circle is returning to Selma this year from March 6–10 for the 60th anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the Selma to Montgomery March, and the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. If you are interested in joining our delegation, please fill out this interest form and we will reach out to you shortly with more information.