Dr. Richard Winchester is more than just a retired history professor. He was an essential figurehead in making Lincoln University the second unionized faculty in Pennsylvania, writes Steven Hoffman for the Chester County Press. 

Both Winchester, and his wife Connie, were champions of many causes over the years—specifically racial justice. Back in the sixties protested outside of the Oxford Hotel for refusing to serve Black patrons.

Richard also traveled with Lincoln University students to go see Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak at the March on Washington, D.C. Most recently, the Winchesters stood in solidarity with the Oxford unity walk for George Floyd in June of 2020.  

With his passion for social movements throughout history, it’s no surprise that Dr. Winchester was staunch in his support of the union at the historically Black college. Richard took the responsibility for researching how to form a union and participating in workshops.  

78 voted in favor of forming the American Association of University Professors union in 1971. The victory garnered national attention as the first AAUP union in the Commonwealth.  

“The university’s leadership invited a union, and there was enough stamina on the campus to take up the challenge,” reflected Dr. Winchester.  

“The faculty said no to abusive power,” he said.  

Read more about how Dr. Winchester helped form the union at the HBCU in the Chester County Press.