![A Pullman Porter uniform owned by Robert Jackson Thomas. Being a Pullman porter was one of the jobs that helped build the black middle class in America, and Pullman porters were key A Pullman Porter uniform owned by Robert Jackson Thomas. Being a Pullman porter was one of the jobs that helped build the black middle class in America, and Pullman porters were key](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2G4GWJ4/a-pullman-porter-uniform-owned-by-robert-jackson-thomas-being-a-pullman-porter-was-one-of-the-jobs-that-helped-build-the-black-middle-class-in-america-and-pullman-porters-were-key-figures-in-the-civil-rights-movement-the-vest-is-dark-blue-in-color-with-four-silver-colored-buttons-inscribed-with-quotpullmanquot-four-pockets-are-on-the-front-of-the-vest-2G4GWJ4.jpg)
A Pullman Porter uniform owned by Robert Jackson Thomas. Being a Pullman porter was one of the jobs that helped build the black middle class in America, and Pullman porters were key
Pullman Porters made berths, kept cars in order and washrooms clean, and handled baggage. Perhaps their most significant contribution during the Great Migration was their practice of covertly distributing the Chicago Defender
![Chicago's National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum celebrates 25th anniversary - ABC7 Chicago Chicago's National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum celebrates 25th anniversary - ABC7 Chicago](https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/5901263_020320-wls-bhm-pullman-museum-430-vid.jpg)
Chicago's National A. Philip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum celebrates 25th anniversary - ABC7 Chicago
Uniform coat owned by Pullman Porter Robert Thomas | National Museum of African American History and Culture
![Pullman Company Maids' exhibit captures Black women's work experience during Jim Crow - Chicago Sun-Times Pullman Company Maids' exhibit captures Black women's work experience during Jim Crow - Chicago Sun-Times](https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/4620dc7/2147483647/strip/true/crop/320x213+0+0/resize/840x560!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fthumbor%2FrY09OQzME8pQVgN1C8kxQ_sZtDg%3D%2F0x0%3A320x226%2F320x226%2Ffilters%3Afocal%28155x76%3A156x77%29%2Fcdn.vox-cdn.com%2Fuploads%2Fchorus_asset%2Ffile%2F23891508%2FPullman_1920_x_1080_copy_0.jpg)