
By Melani Morose Edelstein, Columnist
The indomitable spirit of San Pedro’s own civil rights activist Diane Middleton burns bright. A beacon of hope and resilience in the fight for social justice and worker empowerment, Middleton epitomizes what National Women’s History Month is all about. During a month dedicated to celebrating and recognizing the contributions and achievements of women throughout history, Middleton’s story emerges as a poignant narrative of courage, commitment and compassion.
Living in a seaside home atop a hillside overlooking Cabrillo Beach, Middleton says she feels honored to be called an activist, organizer and veteran soldier in the battle for peace and equality. At 80 years old she revels in opening her home and entertaining. Whether it’s hosting a large family gathering like a recent baby shower for 75 guests, or providing space for organizations close to her heart to gather, it’s what she is all about.
“It’s just a wonderful place for hosting events. And I like to think of it as kind of a community center. It’s my home, yes, but it’s such a gift and I feel so grateful. I feel like I’m just the luckiest person,” Middleton says candidly.
Her illustrious career as a dedicated attorney spanned over four decades, tirelessly advocating for the rights of injured waterfront workers. Her legacy transcends the courtroom, as she stands as one of the esteemed founders of the Harry Bridges Institute, paying homage to the legendary leader of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union. Additionally, she established the Diane Middleton Foundation, a testament to her unwavering commitment to uplifting marginalized communities.
Her journey from the corridors of law to her current position as vice president of the Los Angeles Harbor Commission is not just a testament to her individual achievements but also a ray of optimism for workers striving for justice.
Middleton’s ascent to prominence within the Los Angeles Harbor Commission is a culmination of decades-long dedication to social justice causes. She was appointed by former Mayor Eric Garcetti and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council in 2019. Middleton’s appointment coincided with a pivotal moment in the port’s history, a period marked by debates over port automation and its implications for workers’ livelihoods. Her pragmatic approach and commitment to fact-based decision-making underscored her dedication to ensuring equitable outcomes for all stakeholders involved.
In the words of Middleton herself, “I’m a fact-based person, I want to know what the numbers are. I ask a lot of questions and I expect answers.”
Middleton’s election as vice president of the Harbor Commission in 2023, at 80 years old, underscores her profound impact and unwavering resolve in championing the rights of workers and marginalized communities. She may have retired from practicing law but she will never stop fighting for equality.
“The most pressing issue facing us is income inequality, it is the root of everything, the root of all evil. There is also something very wrong with the system in this country with income inequality. The third thing that I strongly believe is you can’t get anywhere without an organization. Nobody gets there alone and that’s what the trade unions are for. For all their imperfections, the trade unions are a basic defense organization of the working class,” Middleton says passionately.
“What am I still fighting for at 80 years old? I would say jobs, peace and equality. It’s very simple,” she states with clear conviction. An attorney with a deep-seated commitment to labor and civil rights issues, Middleton was born in Detroit and credits a friendly librarian with changing her life.
“My parents worked afternoons, so I would walk down to the library, and I met this amazing woman named Clara Jones. She told me everything, discussing book choices and so much more. When I was 10 years old, she said to me, ‘Well, of course, you’re going to college.’ It was something I had never thought about, and no one in my family had ever mentioned it, but she was the one who told me, ‘You’re really smart. You’re going to go to college. What do you want to be? What do you want to do? You can do whatever you want.’ She introduced me to ideas beyond what I had seen in my neighborhood. I lived in the factory part of town. She lived on the other side of town, in the nicer part, and she invited me to her home. There, she introduced me to her daughter, who was several years older than me, and to her husband, who had a Ph.D. and worked for the postal service because that was the only job an African American man could get in 1953,” Middleton explains.
“She was the smartest person I ever met, and she greatly influenced me. This librarian, this remarkable woman, opened my eyes to a whole different world than the one I saw with the auto workers in my family. She went on to become the first African American woman to lead a major library, becoming the director of The Detroit Public Library. She was not just an amazing woman, but a very dear friend who truly shaped me and my thinking. Because she was a Black woman and the smartest person I knew, smarter than anybody in my family, I developed a deep respect and admiration for her from an early age,” Middleton says.
Married at 19 during a time when young girls were expected to marry young and move from their parents’ home to their husband’s home, Middleton had never lived independently.
“We married too young, he was a wonderful husband but it wasn’t long before I realized I was part of a larger world. Everyone around me belonged to the UAW. I went to Wayne State University and started asking which side are you on. I realized the world is about class warfare. It came down to which side do you want to be on? The side of the working people, the side of jobs and peace and equality or with the one percent on the side of greed and desire for profit. So in the early 1960s I separated from my husband, entered law school and the National Lawyers Guild and started fighting for civil rights.”
One of only four females in her law school graduating class, Middleton says her gender was never an issue. Beginning her legal journey in San Francisco, Middleton represented injured workers, including labor union activists, in a myriad of industries, from auto to steel. It was her unwavering advocacy that propelled her to the forefront of the legal battle, notably as the first to file a class-action asbestos lawsuit on behalf of shipyard workers, a pivotal moment that set the stage for her future endeavors.
In 1979, Middleton embarked on a new chapter by establishing her own law practice in San Pedro, specializing in maritime law and representing thousands of injured longshoremen and shipyard workers. Her tireless efforts not only secured justice for her clients but also shed light on the perils faced by workers in hazardous environments.
Through her leadership roles on various boards and organizations, including the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, Middleton emerged as a formidable force for change, advocating for the marginalized and underserved.
This commitment to truth and justice encapsulates Middleton’s ethos, a steadfast belief in the power of knowledge and advocacy to effect meaningful change. Middleton’s journey is not merely a narrative of individual success but a testament to the power of resilience, determination and advocacy in shaping a more just and equitable society. Middleton’s legacy serves as a poignant reminder of the indelible impact of women leaders in the fight for social justice and equality.
Her dedication to civil rights and worker empowerment reverberates through the corridors of history, inspiring generations to come to continue the pursuit of a more equitable and just world.