Samuel Gompers Memorial, Bronze memorial in Shaw neighborhood, Washington DC, United States.
The Samuel Gompers Memorial is a bronze sculpture in Shaw neighborhood featuring a seated central figure representing the labor leader, surrounded by six allegorical statues depicting different aspects of the labor movement. Located at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue, 11th Street, and N Street NW, the ensemble sits along a pedestrian route with nearby public transportation access.
The memorial was dedicated in 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of Samuel Gompers, founder and longtime leader of the American Federation of Labor. The sculpture was created to preserve his legacy as one of the most influential labor movement leaders in American history.
The inscriptions on the memorial emphasize voluntary principles and democratic discussion as core values for workers' rights. These words capture what Gompers believed about advancing labor causes through peaceful cooperation rather than conflict.
The location sits along an accessible pedestrian path, making it easy to visit while walking through Shaw neighborhood. It helps to visit on clear days so you can see the details of the bronze figures from multiple angles.
Sculptor Robert Ingersoll Aitken incorporated six surrounding figures representing Unity, Justice, and Cooperation as a way to express Gompers' vision for the labor movement. These allegorical forms give the central statue a symbolic depth beyond a simple portrait statue.
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