Women's rights

AFA Chicago/Rosemont: McDonald v. UAL Case Records

srafferty — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:50:28 -0500

McDonald v. UAL was part of a series of legal cases involving United Air Lines (UAL), their former flight attendants, and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). The cases centered around flight attendants who lost their job due to UAL’s no-marriage policy of the 1950s and 1960s in which the company insisted that their female flight attendants remain unmarried. If a stewardess married she had to transfer to a ground job, was forced to resign, or was fired. Previous cases against UAL included Mary Sprogis and Carole Romasanta, but these only involved flight attendants who had been fired or had filed a grievance. In 1977, Liane Buix McDonald filed another class action, this one to include all stewardesses who were fired, resigned, or transferred from the flight attendant position due to the no-marriage ruling. The collection includes court documents, UAL marriage grievances from the mid-1960s, lawyer’s correspondence, class membership lists, and research. It also includes individual cases to determine class membership. These cases include attorney notes, statements of claimants, questionnaires and answers, AFA and UAL responses, and documents provided by the claimant.

AFA Washington, D.C.: McDonald v. UAL Case Records

srafferty — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 16:44:44 -0500

McDonald v. UAL was part of a series of legal cases involving United Air Lines (UAL), their former flight attendants, and the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). The cases centered around flight attendants who lost their job due to UAL’s no-marriage policy of the 1950s and 1960s in which the company insisted that their female flight attendants remain unmarried. If a stewardess married she had to transfer to a ground job, was forced to resign, or was fired. Previous cases against UAL included Mary Sprogis and Carole Romasanta, but these only involved flight attendants who had been fired or had filed a grievance. In 1977, Liane Buix McDonald filed another class action, this one to include all stewardesses who were fired, resigned, or transferred from the flight attendant position due to the no-marriage ruling. These records originated from the AFA’s Washington, D. C. Legal office and cover the period of 1980-89 and include court documents, correspondence, research and UAL seniority lists.

AFSCME Program Development Department Records, Part 1 & 2

jruss — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:05:55 -0400

The AFSCME Program Development Department was created in January of 1973 to deal with matters such as health care, the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill, employee protections, career development, and sex discrimination. It was funded by federal grant money until 1975 when the funds ran out, the department was disbanded, and its several functions were taken over by other AFSCME departments.

The records in Part I reflect the Department's concerns with women's issues, sex discrimination, the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), and other groups. Important figures represented are Linda Tarr-Whelan, deputy director, 1973-1975; her successor, Nancy Perlman; and International President Jerry Wurf. Important topics appearing in the records include affirmative action, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, International Women's Year, Title IX, and commissions on the status of women.

The records in Part II of this collection contain the administrative records of the Program
Development Department head and staff. A large portion of Part II is devoted to subject
files, which illustrate the broad scope of the Department’s focus. Part II also contains
records pertaining to the Department’s efforts to prevent the decentralization of mental
health institutions and to protect the employees that worked in those facilities. Files on
other health care related issues are also included in Part II. A few files related to
Women’s Issues that were missed when processing Part I also appear.

AFSCME Women's Rights Department Records

jruss — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:11:19 -0400

The records in this collection focus on comparable worth and job evaluation in state governments. The majority of the collection is comprised of consultants’ proposals to state and local government committees to conduct studies addressing issues of pay equity and job evaluation and ranking systems. Some correspondence exists that documents the evaluation and selection of these proposals by state committees and the national AFSCME office. General information and reports about various job evaluation and ranking methods are included as well as reports from AFSCME about how best to develop comparable worth job systems. Additionally, some training material and more general information on pay equity issues are represented in the collection.

AFT: Human Rights and Community Relations Records

dgolodner — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:04:52 -0400

The Human Rights and Community Relations Department of the American Federation of
Teachers was created by Vice President Richard Parrish October 2, 1966. Before the
official department was created it was a standing committee and then a permanent
committee with in the executive council. The department was created as an office in the
AFT that would be responsible for collecting and distributing information about the
government, education and community policies and programs dealing with civil and
human rights. The most important duty of the department is to guide the AFT in any
“involvement with or commitment to labor and other organizations concerned with civil
and human rights.”

Part One of the collection deals with the Racism in Education conference that the AFT sponsored throughout the late 1960s to the early 1970s. Other materials are general subject files and correspondence to and from the Civil Rights Department. Part Two of the collection pertains to black history, race relations and women’s rights on both national and local levels. The collection consists of AFT files as well as meeting and conference information. The department maintained a large section of subject files relating to civil and human rights in education.

AFT Office of the President Records

dgolodner — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:06:07 -0400

Minutes, correspondence, reports, publications covering the president's office of Carl Megel and predominantly Charlie Cogen and David Selden. Important subjects are teacher strikes, contract negotiations, school desegregation, Oceanhill-Brownsville, education legislation, job stress, teacher centers.

The records are divided into two parts.

ALPA Steward and Stewardess Division Records

srafferty — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 17:39:41 -0400

The Steward and Stewardess Division was created by the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) Board of Directors in 1960 after ALPA and the Air Line Stewards and Stewardess Association (ALSSA) separated in 1959. Following the same basic structure as ALPA, the division had its own Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Executive Board, and national officers of Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Initially consisting of 20 airlines and around 3,580 stewardesses, by 1969 the S&S Division represented approximately 10,000 stewardesses through Local Executive, and Master Executive Councils on each of their airlines and assisted them with negotiations, grievances, sex and age discrimination, air safety and equal employment issues. In 1973 the stewardesses signed a charter of affiliation with ALPA and formed the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA). The Steward and Stewardess Division Records contains Office Records, Correspondence, Governing Bodies Minutes, MEC/LEC Records, Publications, Negotiations, Agreements, and Constitutions and By-laws. The subjects covered include: Air Safety, Crew Complements, Organizing, Uniforms, Contract Negotiations, Seniority, Negotiations, Bidding, Scheduling, Sex Discrimination, Marriage Rules, Age Discrimination, Maternity Leave, ALSSA/ALPA Dispute, Strikes, Age 32/35 Policies, and Women’s Rights.

Harriet Cooper Alpern Papers

abarker — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:10:08 -0400

Harriet Cooper Alpern served as Vice President of Public Relations for the Detroit chapter of NOW (National Organization of Women) from 1970 to 1973 and was a member of the Women's Advisory to TV station WXYZ from 1971 to 1975. In 1978 Ms. Alpern formed the company, Program Resources to produce media material for the women's movement and other educational purposes. The papers of Ms. Alpern reflect her work with NOW and the women's movement, and to a lesser extent, the use of mass media as an educational tool.

American Association of University Women of Michigan Records

kschmeling — Thu, 19 May 2016 11:40:12 -0400

Advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) formed as the Association of Collegiate Alumnae in 1881, becoming the AAUW in 1921.

Parts 1 through 4 of this collection primarily contains state and national organizational proceeding records and organizational publications.

Alex Baskin Papers

drice — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 10:45:39 -0500

Dr. Alex Baskin is a professor at State University of New York at Stony Brook; among his main
research interests is social history of the late 20th century, especially with regard to the 1960s and 1980s. Dr. Baskin also attended Wayne State University during the 1960s where he studied various left-wing social movements. Among his published works include The Woman Rebel and The Masses.

The materials in this collection reflect a wide variety of subjects that Dr. Baskin researched and mostly pertain to various social movements of the late 20th century. Included are posters and flyers related to Marxism, the anti-war movement, the women’s movement, Jewish issues, the labor movement, foreign policy under the Reagan Administration, and much more. The collection also contains various essays, some written by Dr. Baskin, as well as newspaper clippings and newsletters related to his interests.

David Bonior Papers

drice — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:57:42 -0500

David Bonior (June 6, 1945 -) was a Michigan State Representative from 1973-76, and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1976-2002, serving as Democratic Whip from 1991-2002. Bonior was born in Detroit and raised in Hamtramck. He received his BA at University of Iowa and his MA at Chapman University. After college he worked as a probation officer in Detroit before volunteering four years in the Air Force from 1968-72. Upon returning he was elected to the Michigan legislature, and in 1976 was elected to the U.S. House. He was well known for his advocacy of minority rights, environmental concerns, working people’s rights, and Vietnam veterans. He was elected Democratic Whip in 1991, and was the longest Whip in the history of Congress. He left Congress in an unsuccessful bid for Governor of Michigan in 2001-02 where he ran against former Governor Jim Blanchard, and Attorney General Jennifer Granholm. His campaign centered around environmental concerns, minority rights, and the economy. Following his gubernatorial campaign, Bonior taught Labor Studies at Wayne State University and chaired the American Rights at Work program.

Part I of the Bonior Papers include documents relating to his activities in the 10th and 12th Congressional districts of Michigan during his years in Congress, as well as his run for Governor. The collection focuses mainly on Michigan issues, particularly social, labor, and environmental. Bonior’s biographical information, district schedules and participation in events are included in the administrative series. A large portion of the collection centers around his bi-yearly campaigns and includes campaign literature, mailings, events, research, and polling and surveys of his congressional district. Also included are newspaper clippings, newsletters and press releases.

Camille Colatosti Papers

srafferty — Mon, 05 Mar 2018 15:28:00 -0500

Camille Colatosti worked during the 1990s as a writer and as an advocate for working women. Originally writing as a staff member at Labor Notes, a Detroit-based labor journal, Colatosti left in 1992 but continued her writings for journals and publications focusing on labor and women, among other topics. During her time at Labor Notes, Colatosti wrote Stopping Sexual Harassment: A Handbook for Union and Workplace Advocates, and began to run workshops on this topic, raising awareness and knowledge of this issue. After leaving Labor Notes, Colatosti established the Working Women's Project, seeking to provide leadership training and support to working women, and provide them with information needed to achieve equality in the workplace. Through this Project, she continued her work against sexual harassment and traveled around the country providing harassment workshops to various groups including unions. Camille Colatosti also worked as an educator at local Metro-Detroit colleges and with Operation ABLE, an organization with which she taught basic computer skills to help adults with employment.

Joyce Hennessee Papers

drice — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:30:28 -0500

Joyce Hennessee worked for Chrysler Corporation Management Information Systems. Her papers reflect her membership in various organizations concerned with working womens' issues.

International Socialists Records

aorchard — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 10:58:02 -0400

The International Socialists existed from 1968 -1986 in the U.S. with national headquarters in Detroit, and branches in 14 other cities. It was preceded by the Independent Socialist Club, established in Berkley in 1964, which then formed an International Socialist Committee. The International Socialist Club appealed to radical student and Maoist groups. Kim Moody, contributor of several pivotal writings to the socialist cause, helped to establish a branch of the Independent Socialist Club in New York. The Independent Socialist Club became the International Socialists at the 1969 convention, where a formal political platform was established to address the working class movement. Internal disagreements developed around degrees of radicalization and basic philosophy throughout the 1970's. These disagreements led to the formation of other organizations such as the Revolutionary Tendency and Workers Power. In 1986, International Socialists merged with Workers Power and Socialist Unity to become known as Solidarity.

The records in this collection illustrate the evolution of the political principles and internal workings of the International Socialists, mainly through the 1970’s. It shows their struggle for the rights of the working class, to reap the recognition and rewards it felt it deserved for providing the sweat of industrial production, the basis of the nation's wealth.

Mildred Jeffrey Papers

drice — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:19:31 -0500

Mildred "Millie" Jeffrey worked as an organizer for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, as Educational Director of the Pennsylvania Joint Board of Shirt Workers, as a consultant to the War Labor Board, as Director of the United Auto Workers (UAW) Women’s Bureau, and as Director for UAW Community Relations and Consumer Affairs Departments. Ms. Jeffrey was also active in the Democratic Party and was a founding member and chair of the National Organization of Women’s (NOW) political arm, the National Women’s Political Caucus.

Part 1 of Ms. Jeffrey’s papers document her extensive work for women’s rights and the labor movement and reflect her commitment to social justice. Part 2 primarily documents the last 30 years of her life during which Jeffrey became an activist in the many social and political movements of the time, including women’s rights, civil rights, reproductive rights and peace.

Linda Johnson Papers

kschmeling — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 12:13:18 -0400

Linda Johnson was one of the founding members of the WDET Radio Program “All Together Now”. Created in the summer of 1971, this was the first radio program in the country that not only served as a forum for women’s issues and ideas from a woman’s perspective, but was also produced and engineered completely and collectively by women. Additionally, the program functioned as a workshop for women interested in learning about radio. The variety of topics discussed on the air dealt with the obvious and subtle problems connected with women’s rights.

Olga Madar Papers

abarker — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:56:04 -0400

A member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 50, Olga Madar served as director of recreation programs, social services and women’s activities, and as director of the International Union’s Recreational Department. Ms. Madar was the first woman to hold a position on the UAW International Executive Board, and the first woman to serve as UAW International Vice-President. Ms. Madar’s papers reflect her career with the UAW and her commitment to advocacy for women, minorities and senior citizens.

Loretta Moore Papers

abarker — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:19:52 -0400

An active member of the National Organization of Women (NOW), Loretta Moore held various posts, including founder and first president of the NOW Downriver Chapter, and was named "Feminist of the Year" by NOW in 1977. Ms. Moore served as a trustee of Wayne County Community College, a Board Member of the Michigan Employment Agency Advisory Council, and was active in Michigan Democratic politics. Ms. Moore’s papers reflect her work with NOW and her involvement in community affairs and Michigan politics.

Nancy vom Steeg Papers

kschmeling — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:34:26 -0400

Nancy vom Steeg was a Detroit activist during the 1960s through the 1980s. Though Poletown might have been the more well-known issue of the time, Nancy was a part of several movements, such as food coops, environmentalism, women and religion, and consumer protection.

National Organization for Women (NOW): Downriver Chapter Records, Parts I & II

drice — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:43:49 -0400

The Downriver chapter of NOW was formed in 1974 by Loretta Moore, a Wayne State University professor, who was elected the chapter’s first president. The chapter was
active in supporting local, state and national policy concerning women’s rights,
participated in marches, rallies and walkathons and also endorsed pro-women’s rights
candidates. They hosted and participated in numerous programs for local women, set up
networks and resources for the community, established a library for members and
published in newspapers as well as their own newsletter. Their membership peaked in
the ERA era with about 100, with their average membership being about 50.

The Chapter's records were assembled by Louise Heck-Rabi, the chapter’s librarian and archivist. Part I reflects the ideology and activities of feminists in the downriver area of Metro Detroit. Part II includes chapter meeting minutes, publicity and press releases, newsletters,
correspondence and mailings, as well as Michigan and National NOW mailings and
programs. Also included are newspaper and magazine clippings relative to the women’s
movement, resources for members and local women, research done by the group and
programs they hosted or participated in.

Rolland R. O'Hare Papers

drice — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:47:10 -0500

Rolland R. O'Hare was a practicing attorney affiliated with both the local Detroit chapter and national American Civil Liberties Union. His papers reflect primarily his activities on behalf of the national organization.

SEIU Executive Vice President's Office: Patricia Ford Records

aorchard — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 14:41:28 -0400

In 1973, Pat Ford, then a clerical worker at Alameda County Hospital, aided in the creation of Local 616 by affiliating the 4000-member association with SEIU. Ford held various leadership positions in Local 616, including president (the Local’s first African-American woman president), and Executive Director. In addition to Ford’s service to Local 616, in 1996 she was elected as SEIU Executive Vice President, and reelected in 2000. During her tenure with SEIU, Ford helped to found the Caucus of African Descent (AFRAM), lead SEIU’s government affairs program, and coordinated SEIU’s civil and human rights activism. A full biography on Patricia Ford, may be found in Ford’s oral history held at the Reuther Library.

The SEIU Executive Vice President’s Office: Patricia Ford Records contains digital transcripts of 25 speeches given by Patricia Ford during her tenure as SEIU Executive Vice President. The records particularly reveal Ford’s involvement with organizations such as CBTU, CLUW, and NAACP. Also included is one folder of photographs, primarily featuring Ford at various SEIU events.

Speech transcripts may be found here:
https://www.reuther.wayne.edu/search/node/pat+ford+speech+transcript

SEIU International Affairs Records

aorchard — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:30:15 -0500

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) was founded in 1921 as a union of flat janitors. Over the years it has grown in size and scope, now comprising three divisions: healthcare, property services, and public services. While most of SEIU’s members reside in the United States, the SEIU is an international union with members and affiliates in countries all over the world. The records of SEIU’s International Affairs Department document the SEIU’s relationships with companies, unions, organizations, and labor activists in other countries, as well as detail departmental operations. Document formats found within the records primarily include correspondence, meeting minutes and agenda, booklets, and reports.

Ann Shafer Papers

drice — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:53:10 -0500

Ann Shafer has lobbied in support of women's issues, including equal pay, sex and employment discrimination, reproductive freedom, and pregnancy disability benefits throughout her career. She began working in 1946 for W.K. Kellogg Company and was active in the American Federation of Grainmillers, retiring in 1983. She has been involved with the Michigan Democratic Party politics, co-founded a chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW), and was one of the founding members of the Coalition of Labor Union Women. Ann Shafer's papers reflect her experiences with women in the labor movement, civil rights, politics, and women's rights.

Morag McLeod Simchak Papers

drice — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:31:29 -0500

Morag McLeod Simchak began her career with the United Rubber Workers International Union before she embarked on a government career with the Department of Labor. She was recognized as their leading expert on several Acts dealing with equal rights for workers. Her papers are a reflection of her efforts to achieve equality for working women, in particular.

Society of Women Engineers Records

drice — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:44:07 -0500

The Society of Women Engineers is a non-profit educational service organization, founded in 1950 as the first organization dedicated to the career guidance, advancement, and recognition of women engineers. The organization's national records exemplify the struggle women have faced over time, gaining entrance into a male dominated discipline and bear witness to the triumphs and honors women have enjoyed as engineering students and practicing professionals. While documenting the Society itself, and giving insight into women’s organizations in the twentieth-century U.S., they also provide a look at evolving scientific and technical challenges, the changing climate in the engineering profession, and the history of women in the workforce. Specifically, the records document the origins, operations, entities, programs and activities of SWE, from its inception, and the accomplishments of its members.

Marjorie Stern Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:55:19 -0400

Marjorie Stern worked as on organizer for the American Federation of Teachers in various cities, served seven consecutive terms as secretary to the San Francisco Federation of Teachers Local 61, and played an instrumental role in the creation of the AFT Women’s Rights Committee. Ms. Stern served as coordinator of the National Organization for Women’s (NOW) Task Force on Union Women, and served as a founding member of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW). Ms. Stern’s papers relate to her work in the AFT, NOW and the CLUW, particularly concerning the AFT Women’s Rights Committee.

Toni Swanger Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:53:32 -0400

An active member of the Detroit women’s rights movement, journalist Toni Swanger worked with the Detroit Women’s Radio Workshop on programming for the Detroit public radio station WDET, and served in various roles for Detroit newspaper, Metro Times, including production manager and managing editor.

Ms. Swanger’s papers reflect her interest in women’s issues and document her career as an activist and radio and print journalist.

Muriel Tuteur Papers

abarker — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 18:10:32 -0400

An active advocate for child welfare, social justice, and the labor movement, Muriel Tuteur held a variety of posts, including Director of the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) Day Care and Health Center, and Assistant Director of Education and Political Action for the Chicago and Central States Joint Board of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW).

Ms. Tuteur’s papers include personal subject files and speeches, documenting her interests and involvement in a broad range of social and political issues.

Edith Van Horn Papers

abarker — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:54:57 -0400

Labor and women’s rights activist Edith Van Horn began her career in the labor movement during World War II, when she left graduate school to join the war effort as an assembly line laborer for Goodyear Aircraft, where she joined United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 856. Ms. Horn later held posts as chief steward of Douglas Aircraft UAW Local 17, chief steward of Chrysler’s Dodge Main Local 3, where she was the first woman to serve on Local 3’s executive board, as a delegate to the UAW Constitutional Convention, and as the International Representative to the UAW’s Community Action Program. Ms. Horn was a founding member of the National Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC), the National Organization for Women (NOW) and the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), and was active in various Detroit area committees addressing violence against women and urban housing issues.

Ms. Horn’s papers largely document her work at Dodge Main and her extensive involvement in women’s issues. Of particular interest is the investigation into Ms. Horn’s alleged affiliation with the Communist Party, and her correspondence with Gloria Steinem.

Agnes Wieck Papers

abarker — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:39:02 -0400

Labor activist and journalist Agnes Burns Wieck served as an organizer for the Women’s Trade Union League, and was a founder and president of the Progressive Miners of America (PMA) Illinois Women’s Auxiliary. Ms. Burns Wieck’s papers document her work as an advocate for women’s rights and the labor movement, particularly concerning the Illinois PMA Women’s Auxiliary.

Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Detroit Branch Records

aorchard — Fri, 29 Aug 2014 11:34:35 -0400

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to ending war and bringing about world peace. Formed in 1919 along with the Michigan branch, Detroit’s WILPF branch has been active in pushing for peace and equality throughout the region and nationally. These actions reflected in the collection include lobbying politicians (notably Michigan governors, Representative John Dingell, and Detroit mayor Coleman Young), writing publications advocating their positions on various issues, holding public demonstrations for numerous causes, and more. WILPF has continually operated since its formation, but activity and membership spiked in the 1960s in response to the Vietnam War. Noteworthy past members include Meta Riseman (who would go on to serve as the head of WILPF’s US branch), former president Agnes Bryant, and Alice Herz (the first American to commit self-immolation in protest of the war in Vietnam).

The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Detroit Branch Records contains the records of WILPF’s Detroit chapter with some materials from the Michigan state branch. Much of the collection is comprised of records from meetings for the two chapters and their various subgroups. These reports and meeting minutes reflect the goals and activities of the local WILPF chapters. Other notable sections are the records for WILPF’s Peace Day Camp, compiled materials on prominent local WILPF members, numerous subject files, WILPF publications and pamphlets advocating various issues, planning materials for special events, legislative activities with local and federal politicians, newsletters, and scrapbooks documenting the organization’s history.

Wayne State University Association of Faculty Women Records

cwesterman — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 16:44:08 -0500

The Association of Faculty Women was composed of female employees of Wayne State University in instructional or administrative positions. Its stated purpose was "to encourage membership of qualified faculty women to appointive and elective positions and responsibilities in the University and in the community; to promote the educational and professional welfare of all women, both staff and students, on the University Campus; and to enrich the educational and professional interests of faculty women."

The Faculty Women's Club of Wayne University was founded in January of 1935 by female faculty members of Wayne University. The organization's constitution initially stated that its purpose was "to promote the interests of all women on the campus and especially to forward the social life and professional interests of the women of the faculty"; later this purpose was changed to read "...the social life and professional interests of the members of the organization." The group was briefly named the Wayne University Women's Club, from 1939 until 1940. In 1960 the Faculty Women's Club became the Association of Faculty Women. The name change was intended to avoid confusion with Wayne State University's Faculty Wives' Club, and to emphasize the professional rather than the social aspects of the organization. The Association of Faculty Women represented the female faculty and staff of Wayne State University until 1971, at which time the group was superseded by the President's Commission on the Status of Women.

Myra Wolfgang: New inductee to the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame

aergas — Tue, 20 Oct 2015 11:54:35 -0400

The Reuther Library salutes Myra Wolfgang as she is inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame this month.

Almost 40 years after her death, Myra Wolfgang stands among the giants in Detroit’s labor movement. Her involvement in labor organizing began not long after graduating from Northern High School in Detroit in 1931. By the age of 23, she was leading strikes and directed organizing drives in local businesses, through the local chapter of the Hotel Employees & Restaurant Employees Union (today known as UNITE HERE!). She first received national publicity for organizing a “pink-collar” sit-down strike among women workers at the Woolworth’s department store in Detroit in 1937. read more »

Notable Women of SEIU

aorchard — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:27:05 -0400

Women have been a part of SEIU since its inception, when Elizabeth A. Grady was elected Trustee at the founding convention in 1921. Grady often reminded her fellow executive board members, all of whom were men, “You men must know that you cannot get very far or make any real progress if you have women workers who compete with you, unorganized and working for less wages” (Union Sisters, p. 16). Indeed, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was keenly aware of the importance of organizing women, demonstrated by correspondence found in the SEIU Historical Records. Amidst the correspondence are documents sent by AFL’s then president Sam Gompers, such as reports detailing labor’s organization of women in Europe during the 1920s, as well as questionnaires to AFL Internationals, generating data on women in industry. However, given SEIU’s initial gender integration, in part due to SEIU’s organization of flat (apartment) janitors whose wives were expected to share in the work, SEIU already recognized the importance of women in the labor movement. Indeed, while not always in the most visible of positions, women, both rank-and-file members, and those within SEIU’s leadership, have made great contributions to SEIU and the greater labor movement over the years. In honor of Women’s History Month, we take a look at some of SEIU’s more prominent female leaders. read more »

One Giant Leap For Womankind

teller — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 11:00:00 -0400

When Neil Armstrong first set foot on the moon 42 years ago this month on July 20, 1969, he proclaimed that it was “one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” Behind the scenes, the lunar landing reflected a giant leap for womankind, as well.

In 1957, Russia grabbed world headlines by successfully launching its first Sputnik satellite. The achievement shocked citizens, scientists, and politicians of the United States, who worried that the Soviets were gaining the upper hand read more »

Oral History Heroes: Millie Jeffrey

rbizonet — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 16:13:12 -0500

As the Oral History Project Archivist at the Reuther Library, my job is to arrange and describe our oral history collections so researchers can find them -- work that has been made possible by a National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) Documenting Democracy grant awarded to the library in 2014. I’ve come to greatly admire many of the interviewees, and to be fascinated by their life stories and accomplishments. In a series of blog posts, I’ll tell about some of my “oral history heroes” and what makes them special to me. read more »

Pay Equity and the Public Employee

jruss — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 17:07:18 -0500

The Equal Pay Act of 1963 required that women be paid the same amount as men when performing the same work. This milestone, however, did not go far enough in protecting women from wage discrimination. This 1963 law promoted equal pay for equal work, but beginning in the 1970s, advocates for women’s rights waged a series of legislative and collective bargaining battles to provide equal pay for comparable work as well. read more »

Subject Focus: Women in Labor Unions

drice — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:44:25 -0400

“We didn’t come here to swap recipes!” Those words, uttered by Myra Wolfgang during the first Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) convention in 1974 set the tone for an agenda aimed at increasing women’s involvement and influence in labor unions. Coming on the heels of landmark legislation such as the Equal Pay Act (1963), the Civil Rights Act (1964), and the Equal Employment Opportunities Act (1972), the formation of CLUW institutionalized the long-held ambitions of individual female union members to participate more fully in the labor movement. read more »

Subject Focus: Women's History at the Reuther Library

wlefevre — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:40:00 -0500

The Reuther Library celebrates Women’s History Month with a look at some of the significant collections housed in the library that deal with the role of women in the urban landscape in Southeast Michigan.

Edith L. Christenson held positions in the Women’s Trade Union League, the Chorus Equity Association, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Public Affairs. The papers of Ms. Christenson document her work as a YMCA canteen worker during World War I and her involvement in the labor and cooperative movements and as an advocate for adult education. Of particular interest is a scrapbook documenting her travels around the world in 1925. read more »

Subject focus: Women's organizations in the University Archives

cwesterman — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 09:30:00 -0500

In honor of Women's History Month, we present some collections from the University Archives demonstrating the parallel histories of two similarly-named organizations representing two different female communities of Wayne State University: the Faculty Women's Club and the Faculty Wives' Club.

Founded in 1925, the Faculty Wives' Club of the College of the City of Detroit actually predated Wayne University read more »

The Women of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.)

eclemens — Fri, 10 Jul 2015 14:06:38 -0400

The Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) was one of the first industrial unions to adopt the concept of gender equality and extend its membership to women. From its very inception, as organizers, agitators, advocates, and active members, women played an important part in the union’s development. read more »

Action Agendas for Local Union Committees

jruss — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 16:15:04 -0400

In 1972, AFSCME created an Interim Committee on Sex Discrimination to address the issues of its female members. This pamphlet instructs councils and locals on how to create their own Women's Rights Committees to address concerns of AFSCME women. This item appears in the AFSCME Program Development Department Records, box 5, folder 9.

AFSCME Leadership Letter

jruss — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 15:54:59 -0400

In 1972, AFSCME created an Interim Committee on Sex Discrimination to address the issues of its female members. This edition of the AFSCME Leadership Letter focuses on one of the major concerns for AFSCME women as identified by the Interim Committee. This item appears in the AFSCME Program Development Department Records, box 5, folder 9.

AFSCME Oral History Transcript; Joan Goddard (President of Local 101), interviewed by Johanna Russ

mcourtney — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 15:57:13 -0400

Joan Goddard served as President of AFSCME Local 101 after the Union’s 1981 contract fight centered on narrowing the gap between male and female municipal workers’ pay in San Jose, California.

In this interview, she discusses her role in the negotiations and eventual strike during the 1981 contract struggle. Debate at the bargaining table focused on the Hay study, which compared jobs with similar levels of complexity in predominantly male and predominantly female fields to reveal a large pay gap.

Local 101’s strike is known as the first strike over comparable worth, which argues that a pay gap can only be closed when classifications with similar skill levels earn equivalent pay.

Equal Rights Amendment brochure

jruss — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 10:04:59 -0400

AFSCME created this brochure to encourage its members to become involved in the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) ratification campaign. The brochure explains five situations in which the ERA would benefit citizens and urges members to contact their legislators. This item appears in the AFSCME Program Development Department Records, box 5, folder 9.

Salary Study Report to Governor (Washington state)

jruss — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 11:17:47 -0400

This report was produced by the Washington Higher Education Personnel Board and the Washington State Department of Personnel for then-Governor Daniel J. Evans. This Study analyzes the salaries of state employees to compare the wages for job classifications typically held by men to the wages of those typically held by women. This study conclusively shows that sex discrimination exists. It would take over a decade for the state of Washington to right this disparity. AFSCME Council 28, which represents Washington state employees, led the campaign to conduct the study and implement changes based on its results. This item appears in the AFSCME Program Development Department Records, box 4, folder 3.

SEIU District 925 Legacy Project, Oral History Transcript, Debra Young Interviewed by Ann Froines

aorchard — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:51:41 -0400

SEIU District 925 Legacy Project, Oral History Transcript, Debra Young Interviewed by Ann Froines.

SEIU District 925 Legacy Project, Oral History Transcript, Evelyn Thorpe Interviewed by Ann Froines

aorchard — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:37:35 -0400

SEIU District 925 Legacy Project, Oral History Transcript, Evelyn Thorpe Interviewed by Ann Froines.

SEIU District 925 Legacy Project, Oral History Transcript, Gilda Turner Interviewed by Ann Froines

aorchard — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:44:13 -0400

SEIU District 925 Legacy Project, Oral History Transcript, Gilda Turner Interviewed by Ann Froines.