Happy Women’s History Month! There is no better time to learn about and most importantly acknowledge some amazing black women that have made significant contributions in America’s freight and goods movement industry! It is so important to give these women their flowers not just during Women’s History Month, but every day. They have opened the door for other young black women like me, to thrive and most importantly make positive impacts within the freight and goods movement industry as well!
LOIS COOPER
Firstly, let me introduce you to Lois Cooper. Cooper was born in 1931 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Her passion for mathematics led to her graduating (1954) with a math degree from Los Angeles State College. She was the only Black woman in her class.
Throughout her time working as the first female engineer at the California Department of Transportation (now called Caltrans), she would perform complex calculations and correct others’ mistakes long before calculators were created. Massive highways in southern California like the Interstate 105 Century Freeway, San Diego Freeway, Long Beach Freeway, San Gabriel River Freeway and Riverside Freeway would not be possible if not for Cooper’s mathematical influence.
Despite her incredible mathematical skills, Cooper experienced racial discrimination at Caltrans, "Because, I mean, you could be the smartest person in the world, if you were Black, you’re Black,” Cooper said in an interview at the time. “And more times than not, a lot of times they never find out if you’re smart. They’ve already defined you because you’re Black.”
Outside of Caltrans, Cooper was extremely active with the Los Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers. She often taught math and engineering classes to Black Americans, take on public speaking engagements, and became a strong advocate for Black American's education in math and engineering.
Since her passing in 2014, Lois Cooper’s legacy is still impactful to this day. Her advocacy and contributions at Caltrans have resulted in many Black women and men pursuing and thriving in various engineering careers.
ARCOLA PHILPOTT
My second spotlight goes to Arcola Philpott. Mrs. Philpott was born in 1913 and originally from Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from Loyola University, earning her degree in social sciences. She married Robert Philpott and had two children, Robert Jr. and Ethel. Arcola was an accomplished pianist, spoke multiple foreign languages, worked as a licensed nurse in Chicago and also researcher for the University of Chicago's History Department.
In August of 1944 and without much fanfare, the Los Angeles Railway finally hired its first African-American “motormanette!”- a streetcar operator. This was not only a historical feat that Arcola accomplished, but also an inspirational one as well. Within a few weeks of hiring Mrs. Philpott, the Los Angeles Railway hired its first black motormen - Louis S. Bernard, Hoyt. A. Brown, Percy B. Hill, Roosevelt Mills, Butler James Mitchell, W.B. Jones, E. M. Morris, W.S.A Weary, James Womack and many more.
Arcola’s daughter, Ethel, believes her mother was the inspiration of other women going to work, specifically in male-dominated roles. “My mother was just like that, born in the wrong era for all the things she wanted to do, she was a real go-getter. She was extremely intelligent, courageous, fearless and a life-long learner.” On May 14, 1991, Arcola Philpott passed away. She is survived by her daughter, Ethel Phillpott, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Whether it is highway systems moving goods from port to warehouse to delivery or simply helping passengers reach their destinations safely by streetcar, the contributions of these women are still impactful to this day. The freight corridors of Lois’ era are still carrying goods to market, but they also bring health harming exhaust to our neighborhoods and the environment. Regulations that do exist do not go far enough to protect residents and workers.
That's why Clean Water Action is advocating for the NJ warehouse and port pollution bill (A4679/S3546) which aims to curb pollution at warehouses, ports and other truck attracting facilities. This bill would require them to implement tangible emission reduction measures through an “indirect source review” program.
Take action today by urging your NJ State Senator and Assemblyperson to ADVANCE A4679/S3546 immediately! The lives of frontline and overburdened communities impacted by truck pollution from our ports and warehouses cannot wait any longer.
Happy Women’s History Month! I hope the stories and contributions of Lois Cooper and Arcola Philpott inspire you to continue to push for environmental justice within NJ’s freight and goods movement system for all.
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