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3rd Ward
After the war, Ralph returned home to Chicago where he found a job as executive director of the Civil Rights Division of the Mayor’s Commission on Human Relations before Governor Adlai Stevenson appointed him to the Illinois Athletic Commission in 1949. Ralph became interested in politics and rapidly rose from assistant precinct captain to lead the 3rd Ward Regular Democratic Organization. He won election in 1952 to represent the ward in the Democratic Central Committee of Cook County as its Democratic Committeeman. In1955, Ralph ended eight years of Republican representation in the City Council when he was elected to serve as 3rd Ward Alderman.
Alderman Metcalfe built a leading organization, both in vote production and in service to the community. while grappling with many issues, including crises in education and housing. Chicago’s racial tensions burned white-hot during the 1966 visit by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the volatile marches of the Chicago Freedom Movement. Under his leadership, the Third Ward Regular Democratic Organization was first to propose naming a street for Dr. King after his assassination.
Later that year, he became the first African American to address a national political convention on television as Chicago police and protestors clashed in Grant Park.The next year ended with a pre-dawn raid in which Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were assassinated by a gang of State’s Attorney and Chicago police as Ralph prepared to run for Congress.
Alderman then Congressman-elect Metcalfe used his good offices to obtain the use of facilities in Washington Park for the DuSable Museum of African American History, the world’s first museum of African American history. The accommodation set precedent: no museum had been granted a lease by the Chicago Park District since the 1930s. The National Museum of Mexican Art, Peggy Notebart Nature Museum, Southeast Chicago Historical Society and Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture followed.
After the war, Ralph returned home to Chicago where he found a job as executive director of the Civil Rights Division of the Mayor’s Commission on Human Relations before Governor Adlai Stevenson appointed him to the Illinois Athletic Commission in 1949. Ralph became interested in politics and rapidly rose from assistant precinct captain to lead the 3rd Ward Regular Democratic Organization. He won election in 1952 to represent the ward in the Democratic Central Committee of Cook County as its Democratic Committeeman. In1955, Ralph ended eight years of Republican representation in the City Council when he was elected to serve as 3rd Ward Alderman.
Alderman Metcalfe built a leading organization, both in vote production and in service to the community. while grappling with many issues, including crises in education and housing. Chicago’s racial tensions burned white-hot during the 1966 visit by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the volatile marches of the Chicago Freedom Movement. Under his leadership, the Third Ward Regular Democratic Organization was first to propose naming a street for Dr. King after his assassination.
Later that year, he became the first African American to address a national political convention on television as Chicago police and protestors clashed in Grant Park.The next year ended with a pre-dawn raid in which Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were assassinated by a gang of State’s Attorney and Chicago police as Ralph prepared to run for Congress.
Alderman then Congressman-elect Metcalfe used his good offices to obtain the use of facilities in Washington Park for the DuSable Museum of African American History, the world’s first museum of African American history. The accommodation set precedent: no museum had been granted a lease by the Chicago Park District since the 1930s. The National Museum of Mexican Art, Peggy Notebart Nature Museum, Southeast Chicago Historical Society and Institute of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture followed.
Good Times l-r: Nigerian Consul, Alderman Ralph Metcalfe, Mayor Richard J. Daley
Giving thanks Leaders gather to celebrate new street lights on South Parkway. l-r: Ald. William Campbell, Ald. William Harvey, State Rep. Corneal Davis, Ald. Ralph Metcalfe, Mayor Richard J. Daley, Margaret Smith, Dr. T.K. Lawless, unidentified, Congressman William L. Dawson, unidentified. Rear: The Victory Monument, commemorating the heroism and sacrifice of the Illinois National Guard's 8th Regiment in World War I. South Parkway was renamed Martin Luther King Drive in 1968. The lights made the community safer.
Mentoring future leaders l-r: John Stroger, Kenneth Wilson, Algeria Woods, Fay Metcalfe, Alderman and Committeeman Ralph Metcalfe, Harold Washington.
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3rd Ward core l-r:: Horatius Wells, Harold Washington, Fay Metcalfe, Clarence "Big Daddy" Smith, Kenneth Wilson, Helen Powell and Betty Russell surround their leader.
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Building the future The alderman congratulates a Ralph H. Metcalfe Youth Foundation winner.
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Serving the People Christmas giveaway at 3rd Ward headquarters..
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