Flynn, Elizabeth Gurley

Ann Blankenhorn Papers

drice — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:39:13 -0400

Ann Blankenhorn investigated and publicized the social and economic conditions in the textile, clothing, and coal mining industries in the 1920s and 30s with special emphasis on women and children. Also included are papers relating to the WPA (1934) and the imprisonment of Elizabeth Gurley Flynn in the 1950s. Important correspondents are Peter Blume and Elizabeth Gurley Flynn. The materials consist of correspondence (1931-68), personal notebooks, diaries, and address books.

Brookwood Labor College Records

aergas — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 10:44:37 -0500

Brookwood Labor College was a co-educational, residential workers' institution founded in 1921 in Katonah, New York. The curriculum focused on a progressive, non-factional education for workers, as the college sought to play an increasing role in the task of building a militant, intelligent, powerful labor movement. The records document the operation of the college during its sixteen years. Brookwood College closed in 1937.

Industrial Workers of the World Records

drice — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 16:44:51 -0400

The Industrial Workers of the World was founded in 1905 and is a member-run union for all workers. The IWW organizes all workers producing the same goods or services into one union instead of pooling them by skill or trade. Numbered among its members (known popularly as Wobblies) are lumberjacks, miners, farmhands (especially migrant workers), sailors, and workers in textile mills. Since their founding, the IWW has made significant contributions to labor struggles around the world. The union is proud of its long-standing tradition of fierce defense of the first amendment and breaking down barriers of race, ethnicity, and gender. Since it's founding in Chicago, the IWW has moved its headquarters around the country.

Part 1 includes minutes and proceedings, trial records and evidence, newspapers, pamphlets, poems, cartoons, songs, and correspondence. Subjects of interest include the Centralia Conspiracy; criminal syndicalism; the Everett Massacre; Free Speech fights; organization of farm workers; labor conditions; the controversy between craft and industrial unionism; government raids and seizures; trials of various members; foreign IWW administrations; political prisoners; GEB 1960's-1970's; conventions 1970's; Junior Wobblies; Houston Branch; and information on such figures as Vincent St. John. Correspondents include T.J. Bogard, Arthur Boose, Richard Brazier, Frank Cederval, A.S. Embree, William D. Haywood, Claude Irwin, Joyce Kornbluh, John A. Law, George Lucas, Albert Prashner, Rudolf Rocker, Vincent St. John, Nicolaas Steelink, Fred W. Thompson, William Unger, Walt Westman, and Claire Whitaker.

Part 2 of the Industrial Workers of the World Collection contains General Executive Board correspondence from the 1960s and 1970s and minutes, newsletters and correspondence from several branch locations and foreign administrations covering the same time period. Also included are Constitutional General Convention minutes from the 1970s, membership dues booklets, songs, cartoons, poetry, articles, legal case files, and a large assortment of English and foreign-language pamphlets and leaflets. Of particular interest are the reports of undercover private detectives posing as IWW members who investigated IWW organizing among Arizona miners in 1923.

Part 3 include mainly correspondence, reports, and photographs that document the union’s activities and goals primarily during the time they were headquartered in Ypsilanti. Since the organization is global, some reports come from places as far as Sweden and Germany. Of particular note are copies of Junior Wobblies cards dating from the 1930s.

Content of Box 158, Folder "Cigar Makers Meeting" is unavailable.

Exhibit Announcement: Women of the I.W.W.

eclemens — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 12:24:14 -0400

The Reuther Library is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibit in our Leonard Woodcock Gallery: Women of the Industrial Workers of the World. The exhibit celebrates the militant revolutionaries, “rebel girls,” 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 »

The Lawrence Textile Strike

eclemens — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:18:57 -0500

January 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of a watershed moment in American labor history: the Lawrence Textile Strike. Commonly referred to as the "Bread and Roses Strike," workers fought to not only earn enough to feed their families, but to also be afforded basic human dignity. For this reason, many consider the event’s significance as a social revolution to be equally as important as its impact on working conditions. 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 »

(268) Paterson Silk Strike, IWW Leadership, 1913

eclemens — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:02:15 -0500

I.W.W. leaders pause for a portrait during the Paterson Silk Strike, Paterson, New Jersey, 1913.

Left to right: Pat Quinlan, Carlo Tresca, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Adolph Lessig and Big Bill Haywood.

(5035) Lumber Industry, Everett Massacre, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Seattle, 1917

eclemens — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 11:24:00 -0400

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn addresses the audience at a rally in defense of the Everett prisoners held in Seattle, Washington.

Flynn can be seen in the lower right corner, directly behind the two large umbrellas.

(5167) Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Paterson Strike, 1913

eclemens — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 16:23:11 -0400

Portrait of IWW organizer Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, taken during the Paterson Silk Strike of 1913.

(5169) Paterson Strike, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Meeting, 1913

eclemens — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 16:23:11 -0400

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn addresses workers at an outdoor meeting during the Paterson Silk Strike.

(26675) Paterson Silk Strike, Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Rallies, 1913

eclemens — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 15:21:40 -0400

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn addresses the crowds at an outdoor rally during the Paterson Silk Strike in Paterson, New Jersey.

Photograph courtesy of the William Cahn Collection.

(26677) Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, "The Rebel Girl," Illustration

eclemens — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 15:21:40 -0400

Cover of the sheet music for Joe Hill’s “The Rebel Girl.” Elizabeth Gurley Flynn is featured carrying a red banner for the I.W.W.

Illustration by Arthur Machia
Image Courtesy of the Rudy Simons Collection

(33289) Paterson Strike, Demonstration, Flynn, 1913

eclemens — Tue, 19 May 2015 13:29:45 -0400

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn (seen at center, circled) leads a demonstration through city center during the Paterson Textile Strike.

(46054) Cover Art, Sheet Music, "The Rebel Girl"

eclemens — Fri, 01 May 2020 09:14:55 -0400

Cover of the sheet music for Joe Hill’s “The Rebel Girl.” Elizabeth Gurley Flynn is featured carrying a red banner for the I.W.W.

Illustration by Arthur Machia