Cigar Factory | “We Shall Overcome” Plaque

In the heart of Charleston, the Cigar Factory stands as a monument to the struggles and triumphs of the past. The Cigar Factory | “We Shall Overcome” plaque commemorates a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement. Let’s step back in time to the 1940s. The American Cigar Company had transformed this former cotton mill into a bustling cigar factory. It was the largest private employer in Charleston during the 1930s. During World War II, the factory churned out cigars. But behind the scenes, a different kind of fire was burning. In 1945, racial discrimination, low wages, and poor working conditions ignited a spark of resistance among the factory’s predominantly African American workforce. Over 1,000 workers, many of them women, walked off their jobs. This was the Charleston Cigar Factory strike. The strikers demanded a 25-cent raise, the right to unionize, and an end to discriminatory practices. For months, they picketed the factory, their voices rising in unison, singing hymns and spirituals. One song, in particular, resonated with the strikers: “We Shall Overcome.” Led by longtime factory employee Lucille Simmons, this powerful anthem became a rallying cry for the movement. The strike continued for over five months, capturing national attention. Finally, in 1946, the American Tobacco Company conceded to some of the workers’ demands. They agreed to an 8-cent raise and the removal of certain discriminatory restrictions. Although the victory was not complete, the strike was a turning point in the fight for civil rights. The Cigar Factory strike, symbolized by the “We Shall Overcome” plaque, demonstrates the power of collective action and the enduring legacy of those who fought for equality. It stands as a reminder of the struggles faced by workers and the importance of their fight for fair treatment and a better future.