Guide to the ILGWU. Ladies' Garment Worker

Founded in 1900 by local union delegates representing about 2,000 members in cities in the northeastern United States, the ILGWU grew in geographical scope, membership size, political influence to become one of the most powerful forces in American organized labor by mid-century. Representing workers in the women's garment industry, the ILGWU worked to improve working and living conditions of its members through collective bargaining agreements, training programs, health care facilities, cooperative housing, educational opportunities, and other efforts. In 1995, the ILGWU merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) to form the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE).

First published by the ILGWU in April 1910, the Ladies' Garment Worker was the official organ of the International and issued monthly in Yiddish, English, and Italian. In 1919, the Ladies' Garment Worker ceased publication and Justice became the official organ of the ILGWU.

Collection consists of issues of the Ladies' Garment Worker published between 1911 and 1917. Issues from the publication's first year (1910) and its final year (1918) are available on microfilm.