The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas by Vanni B. Montana., 1977-1977
Collection Number: 6036/014
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas by Vanni B. Montana., 1977-1977
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
6036/014
Abstract:
This collection consists of a typescript copy of Vanni B. Montana's "The Shambles:
Broken Bridges Over the Seas."
Creator:
Montana, Vanni B.
Quanitities:
0.5 cubic feet
Language:
Collection material in English
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).
Vanni B. Montana (Giovanni Buscemi) was born February 12, 1902 in Mazara del Vallo
in southwestern Sicily. As a socialist in a growing fascist state, Montana fled his
native land as a political refugee finding himself first in Vienna, before heading
to Berlin and settling in Paris. On his travels, Montana came in contact and befriended
other Italian anti-fascists and socialists. During his time in France, he took classes,
worked with Italian immigrants, and he helped organize and unionize laborers, diggers,
and restaurant workers, arranging strikes and giving speeches. On July 4, 1928, Montana
immigrated to the United States and soon found himself surrounded by the Italian-American
community and antifascists, becoming employed by the newspapers "Il Lavoratore" and
"Il Nuovo Mondo" (later "La Stampa Libera"). He became involved in the Italian socialist
movement, organizing rallies against fascism and urging opposition against Mussolini.
After the war, Montana was active in the rebuilding of a democratic Italy, and organized
one of the first people to people tourism programs to bring Italian immigrants and
their American born children to the country.
Montana was a co-founder of the Italian-American Labor Council in 1941, and helped
draft the petition to exempt Italian citizens living in the United States from the
"enemy aliens" category. For thirty-four years, he was an editor of "Giustizia," the
Italian publication of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, as well as
the Education Director of ILGWU Local 89 and worked on the "Voice of Local 89" radio
program. Montana died in 1991 at the age of 89.
The collection contains the typed manuscript for Vanni B. Montana's autobiography,
"The Shambles: Broken Bridges over the Seas," from 1977. The "Shambles" is the English
version of his Italian language autobiography "Amarostico" which is currently available
at over a dozen public and academic libraries. Montana interweaves historical events
in his hometown of Mazara del Vallo and Sicily with episodes from his youth, illustrating
how the political climate and early experiences would influence him later in life.
The first section recounts not just life in Sicily, but topics such as socialism,
antifascism, communism, and the individuals Montana met as a student and the thoughts
and ideas debated among his circle. As fascism grew, Montana found it difficult to
remain in his home and country and details his experiences escaping and becoming a
political refugee. After immigrating to the U.S., he found himself surrounded by like-minded
individuals and aligned himself with the Italian-American community. He discusses
his various jobs and organizations he was involved with, including his work with the
ILGWU and Local 89, the founding of the Italian-American Labor Council, and his trips
to Italy after the war. Montana's manuscript reflects his interest and activities
as an Italian-American labor leader and socialist. Researchers may be interested in
the organizations discussed including: the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), the Socialist
Party of Italian Workers (PSLI), the Italian Socialist Federation of the American
Socialist Party, the Mazzini Society, the Italian-American Victory Council, the Italian-American
Labor Council, the Office of War Information (OWI), the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
Of America (ACWA) and the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU). Notable
individuals mentioned in Montana's manuscript include: Carlo Tresca, Sidney Hillman,
Luigi Antonini, Generoso Pope, Augusto Bellanca, Giuseppe Modigliani and Ignazio Silone.
The Vanni Buscemi Montana Collection located at the George Meany Archives contains
correspondence, writings and clippings that Montana amassed to write his autobiography.
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference
archivist for access to these materials.
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and
Procedures for Document Use.
INFORMATION FOR USERS
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas by Vanni B. Montana. #6036/014. Kheel Center
for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Names:
Montana, Vanni B.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union -- Archives.
CONTAINER LIST
|
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
| Box 1 | Folder 1 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 1 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 1-66.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 2 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 2 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 67-127.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 3 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 3 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 128-184.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 4 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 4 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 185-250.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 5 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 5 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 251-309.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 6 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 6 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 310-382.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 7 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 7 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 383-443.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 8 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 8 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 444-512.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 9 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 9 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 513-565.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 10 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 10 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 566-638.
|
|||
| Box 1 | Folder 11 |
The Shambles: Broken Bridges Over the Seas, by Vanni B. Montana [Folder 11 of 11]
|
1977 |
|
Scope and Contents
Typescript. Pages 639-700.
|
|||