Durham Fuller, Mabel. Oral History Interviews conducted by P. Sinclair, February 22,
1988. Audiocassettes., 1988-1988
Collection Number: 6036/034 OH
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Cornell University Library
DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY
Title:
Durham Fuller, Mabel. Oral History Interviews conducted by P. Sinclair, February 22,
1988. Audiocassettes., 1988-1988
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation & Archives
Collection Number:
6036/034 OH
Abstract:
This collection contains the audio recording of an oral history interview with Mable
Durham Fuller.
Creator:
Durham Fuller, Mabel
Sinclair, P.
Fields, Jill
Quanitities:
0.22 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).
Mabel Durham Fuller was born on April 1, 1905 in Kingston, New York, where she attended
the local public schools of Kingston and Yonkers. She was an operator in an undergarment
factory before the shop was unionized, and after it was organized, Fuller became the
shop chairlady. She was a member of the Undergarment and Negligee Workers Union, Local
62 and elected to the Executive Board in 1937. As a member of the Board, Fuller served
on the Finance Committee and Sick Benefit Committee. She was also elected as a delegate
to attend several ILGWU National Conventions. Fuller attended the Hudson Shore Labor
School, as well as the U.S. Army Administration school from 1944-1945, and was the
first woman to attend the Harvard Trade Union Institute where she was a fellow from
1945-1946. Fuller became the first African American staff member of the Education
Department in 1946. In the Education Department, Fuller helped to plan and direct
programs that aimed at improving the image of the union not only to the members, but
also to the public.
Fuller was an American National Red Cross instructor, chair of the Women's Service
Brigade during World War II, delegate to the Negro Labor Committee, member of the
Committee for Civil Rights, the Urban League, the NAACP, and the Liberal Party.
The collection contains an oral history interview on two cassette tapes conducted
by P. Sinclair on February 22, 1988. The first cassette tape deals with the history
of Lapala, New York, an integrated town which no longer exists and where Fuller spent
her early years. In the second cassette tape, Fuller provides an overview of her work
history, including her first job, the general strike of 1933, and working in the Education
Department of Local 62.
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
Durham Fuller, Mabel. Oral History Interviews conducted by P. Sinclair, February 22,
1988. Audiocassettes. #6036/034 OH. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Cornell University Library.
Related Collections: 5780: ILGWU records 6036/034: Durham Fuller, Mabel. Interview.
Names:
Fuller, Mabel.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union -- Archives.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. -- Local 62 (New York, N.Y.) -- Archives.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. -- Educational Dept. -- Archives.
CONTAINER LIST
Container
|
Description
|
Date
|
|
Box 1 | Folder 1 |
Durham Fuller, Mabel. Oral History Interviews conducted by P. Sinclair, February 22,
1988
|
1988 |
Scope and Contents
tape 1
|
|||
Box 2 | Folder 1 |
Durham Fuller, Mabel. Oral History Interviews conducted by P. Sinclair, February 22,
1988
|
1988 |
Scope and Contents
Tape 2
|