Edward Cohen Plaque

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Former AFL President Edward Cohen

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is proud to announce the Edward Cohen Plaque, which will be prominently displayed in the State House upon its completion in Spring 2008. The plaque commemorates the life and death of former AFL President, Edward Cohen. December 5, 2007 marks the 100-year anniversary of Cohen's death at the hands of a crazed gunman. On this day, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO held a ceremony in the State House's Nurses Hall to honor the contributions and sacrifice of Edward Cohen. This ceremony included a full-size portrait of the final Cohen Plaque. In Spring 2008, the finished bronze plaque will hang in the State House as a permanent reminder of not only the sacrifice of Edward Cohen and his dedication to the Labor Movement, but to the momentous contributions made by organized labor in this Commonwealth since the founding of the AFL. The great thing about this plaque is its focus on the struggles and triumphs of working families here in Massachusetts throughout the past century and a half.

It is not an overstatement to say that the installation of this plaque in the State House is one of the greatest moments in our history. Where else is there a plaque that is dedicated to a slain labor leader and which captures all the amazing contributions of the Labor Movement in such a prominent location as between the offices of the Governor and the Speaker in our esteemed State House? It is truly remarkable.

On this page you can read more about Ed Cohen, as well as the plaque being made in his honor.

 

Edward Cohen Biography

Newspaper Reports of Edward Cohen

Commonwealth Magazine Article on Edward Cohen

Massachusetts Labor Events Featured on the Plaque

Historian Jim Horrigan's Remarks at the Plaque Unveiling

Mass AFL-CIO Article on the Edward Cohen Plaque Installation at the State House

Scupltor Meredith Bergmann's Remarks at the Plaque Installation

Comments from Edward Cohen's Family

Track the Plaque

View Photos of the Plaque

31 Marching Figures on the Plaque

Learn More About the Scupltor of the Edward Cohen Plaque: Meredith Bergmann