[Podcast] Polish American Women and Detroit’s 1938 Federal Screw Works Strike
Posted December 5th, 2025 by teller
in
Dr. Martin Hershock recounts the violent three-day strike against General Motors supplier Federal Screw Works in 1938, when women from Detroit’s Polish community led the fight to preserve both their recently-recognized union and their neighborhood. Hershock is a Professor of History at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and author of the article, “Seems to Me You Have Plenty of Nerve”: Polish American Women, Detroit's Federal Screw Works Strike of 1938, and the Fate of the UAW.”
Related Resources:
“Seems to Me You Have Plenty of Nerve”: Polish American Women, Detroit's Federal Screw Works Strike of 1938, and the Fate of the UAW.”
Related Collections:
Peter H. Amann Papers (UP001229)
Joe Brown Papers (LP000047)
Stanley and Margaret Collingwood Nowak Papers (LP000003)
UAW President's Office: Walter P. Reuther Records (LR000261)
Virtual Motor City / Detroit News Photograph Collection
Episode Credits
Interviewee: Martin Hershock
Producers: Dan Golodner and Troy Eller English
Music: Bart Bealmear