Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain

“Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain is the powerful memoir of Norman and Velma Murphy Hill, two lifelong warriors in the struggles for racial equality, economic justice, and democracy. The Hills bring to their story the unique perspective of participants in the making of our nation’s history—from the direct action campaign to integrate Chicago’s Rainbow Beach, the Route 40 freedom riders, and the 1963 March on Washington to the 1968 strike of Memphis sanitation workers in which Martin Luther King would be assassinated and the successful drive to organize New York City’s paraprofessionals into the United Federation of Teachers. In the civil rights, labor, and democratic socialist movements, they labored shoulder-to-shoulder with King, A. Philip Randolph, Bayard Rustin, Al Shanker, and others, and their narrative brings these figures and their historic work to life. As new generations of activists in the freedom and labor movements take up the baton of these struggles today, the authoritative account of Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain provides an indispensable guide.” – Randi Weingarten, president, the American Federation of Teachers“Intimate details of personal sacrifices and struggles to bring about freedom, justice, and equality in this country have been far too few. But in Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain, Norman and Velma Hill provide theirs in a powerful, compelling, and often touching narrative, not least providing information that deep-seated racial hatred and actions by racists were not unique to the South. A new generation will learn more from this book about two of those who well fit the description of giants on whose shoulders we all stand.” – Charlayne Hunter-Gault, journalist and author“Norman and Velma’s memoir captures the spirit of the civil rights struggle in America, their pivotal roles fighting for justice, and their enduring bond. It is a story of love, courage, integrity, hope, and determination. It serves as an essential reminder of how two brilliant minds joined forces to help change our world for the better. As we continue to fight for equality, let us turn to their words for distinct wisdom and encouragement.” – Rev. Al Sharpton, founder and president, National Action Network“Norman Hill and Velma’s memoir reminds us all of the transformative power vested in a community organized from shared experience to bring about real change. The struggle for civil rights in the United States is not defined by any one moment, but by the collective stories of people across this country who put their lives on the line in hopes that America might one day live up to its promise. It is my sincere hope that the new generation of emerging activists and leaders will be inspired by this book as they chart a course forward to tackle the many challenges facing African Americans today.” – Congresswoman Maxine Waters“Norman Hill and Velma Murphy Hill have written a compelling, richly detailed and thoroughly gripping account of their involvement in the civil rights and organized labor movements. It is so important, now more than ever, to remember the struggles that redefined the trajectory of American history, as we moved from the dark era of Jim Crow segregation and racism to a brighter era where we have come that much closer to realizing the ideals of freedom and dignity for all citizens. For the Jewish community, the missions the Hills took to Israel helped strengthen African-American support for the Jewish state.” – Abraham H. Foxman, national director emeritus, Anti-Defamation League“Norman and Velma Hill began Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain as young, idealist, warmly romantic students who were united around a common mission—to challenge the status quo of race relations in this country and to champion the values of their African American heritage. Theirs is a story of audacious youth who became tenacious partners in the risky and often unrewarding struggle to organize for social and economic justice against all odds. A must-read chronicle of a time in our history that offers a clear remembrance for those who lived it; and, serves as a platform on which future activists can stand. Bravo, Norm and Velma!” – Clayola Brown, president, A. Philip Randolph Institute“This book is about two people who fell in love with each other and with the movements for social and racial justice. It is a must-read for those who are committed to a society free of racial and gender oppression and to the right of workers everywhere to share in the wealth that we help to create every day. Norman and Velma are true heroes of the civil rights and labor movements, and their efforts helped build a better society for all.” – Liz Shuler, president, AFL-CIO“Norman and Velma Hill’s passion for justice—and for one another—is an inspirational story, and one that needs to be told. Their journey from idealistic young social justice soldiers to civil rights icons is quintessentially American and should be held as an example for the next generation of leaders.” – Marc Morial, president, the National Urban League“Their memoir tells a vivid story of struggle and perseverance, one that both illuminates a vital chapter in the history of American democracy and will inspire a new generation of activists to renew the never-ending effort to build a just society.” – Carl Gershman, president, the National Endowment for Democracy“Norm and Velma Hill bring history to life in their book, Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain. Their story bears witness to the experience of countless civil rights foot soldiers, who were willing to risk their lives to realizing justice and freedom for all. This memoir should be a call to action to this generation of activists as they work to build upon the progress of icons like Norm and Velma Hill. Those working for progress should read and internalize this powerful testament to passion, persistence and moral courage in the face of injustice.” – Congresswoman Barbara Lee

Norman Hill was the national program director of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), staff coordinator for the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, staff representative of the Industrial Union Department of the AFL-CIO, and president of the A. Philip Randolph Institute from 1980 to 2004, the longest tenure in the organization’s history. He remains its president emeritus.

Velma Murphy Hill, a graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, was a leader of the Chicago Wade-In to integrate Rainbow Beach, East Coast field secretary for CORE, and assistant to the president of the United Federation of Teachers, where she unionized 10,000 paraprofessionals, mostly Black and Hispanic, working in New York public schools. She was vice president of the American Federation of Teachers and International Affairs and civil rights director of the Service Employees International Union.

The Hills were the only Black couple to hold leadership positions in the civil rights and labor movements.