1199 SEIU is a healthcare union that currently has over 400,000 members across Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts. 1199 was founded in 1932 by Leon Davis and a group of New York City pharmacy workers fighting for livable wages, and fighting against segregation and inequalities. The union was mostly white and Jewish in the 30’s, and they formed a groundbreaking organization with the largely black community of pharmacy sodamen. More of their story is available in a production here.
This tape holds a dramatic presentation based on the early days of 1199, produced for the Union’s 25th anniversary celebration May 26th, 1957. When this presentation was put to tape, we are unsure. The introduction is by Leon Davis himself, and narrated by John Randolph. The 49 minute presentation has been uploaded in its entirety on YouTube and is available in our archive.
Pete Seeger contributed the music for this dramatic presentation, and this cassette contains his only recorded version of “Brother Can You Spare A Dime” that is available on the internet. His audio files from the tape have been specifically sectioned out and are available on our YouTube & archive below as well.