Mary Anderson

Born: 1872

Died: 1964

Country of Birth: Sweden

Nationality: USA

Ethnicity: White

Unknown

""As the world evolves, so too does the growing role of women who are proving their infinite capabilities in today's complex workplace, and exhibiting a new usefulness now and for the future." (dol.gov); "I had the idea that America was a promised land," she would later recall, "because I felt that there might be something other than housework that a person like me could do." (encyclopedia.com); "Through union negotiations with the employer … conditions were improved for a great many people and not just for the one person who changed to a better job." (encyclopedia.com); “We began,” she explained later, “by outlining the training women ought to have to be ready to take defense jobs. We knew right away the day would come when they would be wanted. Employers didn't take us any too seriously at first, but finally we won out.” (nytimes.com); "

— Mary Anderson

Field of Study: Labor Activist

Institution/Corporation: US Dept of Labor

Degrees & Memberships: Honorary Degree: Smith College (1941); Member: Boot & Shoe Workers Union (1899), Women's Trade Union League (WTUL, 1905), Boot Stitchers Local 94

Awards: 1991 US Dept of Labor Hall of Honor; 1962 Award of Merit, US Dept of Labor

Achievements: 1st director of the US Women's Bureau 1920-44; rallied support to ratify many new laws to support women and equal rights; bettered the working conditions, wages, and hours for women; was the first "'up from the ranks" labor woman to head an executive department of the federal government; organized Bryn Mawr Summer School for Women Workers (1921);