Labor History
Focus on Women in Labor History
First Female Masonry Gang Leaders, 1944
Leaders of Westinghouse, 1951
The sources available in the Archives Service Center collections are limited in the amount of information that they can provide about women in organized labor. There are many collections that focus on labor and organized labor in Pittsburgh, ranging from the 19th century through the present day. Many of these collections include member logs, meeting minutes, and correspondence. However, women are mostly absent from many of these sources. While collections such as those of Margaret Darin Stasik, Rosemary Trump, and Steffi Domike provide an insightful perspective of women in the organized labor history of Pittsburgh, other collections barely acknowledge the presence of women at all.
However, these brief indications of women within many collections can add an entirely new perspective to Pittsburgh's history of organized labor. Even when they were not explicitly named, women were crucial in organized labor. They worked to provide for their families and to better the workplace for future women. They fought for equity and equality, which benefited workers of all backgrounds. Without these women, the labor history of Pittsburgh would not be the same. Their dedication and perseverance helped shape the economic and cultural fabric of today.
More Information:
Additional Resources:
Union Websites:
Women Employees at Carrie Furnace
