Pinback Button, “Washington’s No 1 Crew,”

Late 20th century

This pinback button promotes “Washington’s No. 1 Crew” in red lettering and four red stars on a white background. It belonged to journalist Ethel L. Payne, (1911-1991), who moved from Chicago to Washington, DC in 1952 to cover national and international news for the preeminent African American newspaper, The Chicago Defender. Known as The First Lady of the Black Press, Payne collected political buttons throughout her pioneering career.