ILGWU Political Department, Evelyn Dubrow Papers

Collection Number: 5780/119

Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library

DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
ILGWU Political Department, Evelyn Dubrow Papers, 1964-1978
Collection Number:
5780/119
Creator:
Dubrow, Evelyn;
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU)
Quantity:
11 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Records (documents) .
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Abstract:
This collection contains Evelyn Dubrow's correspondence, memoranda, and reports relating to the her lobbying activities in Washington, D.C., as well as letters and receipts documenting campaign contributions, and files on states, local unions, joint boards, and regional departments.
Language:
Collection material in English, Spanish

ILGWU ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union was once one of the largest labor unions in the United States founded in 1900 by local union delegates representing about 2,000 members in cities in the northeastern United States. It was one of the first U.S. Unions to have a membership consisting of mostly females, and it played a key role in the labor history of the 1920s and 1930s. The union is generally referred to as the "ILGWU" or the "ILG". The ILGWU grew in geographical scope, membership size, and 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. The ILGWU merged with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union in 1995 to form the Union of Needle trades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE). UNITE merged with the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees Union (HERE) in 2004 to create a new union known as UNITE HERE. The two unions that formed UNITE in 1995 represented only 250,000 workers between them, down from the ILGWU's peak membership of 450,000 in 1969.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Evelyn Dubrow was born in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1911. A graduate of New York University, Dubrow worked as a report for The Morning Call (Patterson, N.J.) and Secretary of the New Jersey organization of the American Newspaper Guild from 1943 to 1946, before becoming Educational Director for the Textile Workers Union of American in New Jersey. In 1949, she became New York state Director for Americans for Democratic Action. In 1956, she was named the ILGWU's chief lobbyist in Washington, D.C. Dubrow worked as Legislative Representative and Executive Secretary of the Political Department of the ILGWU, and continued her work after the union's merger with the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers of America to create the Union of Needletrades, Industrial, and Textile Employees (UNITE). Dubrow died in Washington D.C., in 2006.
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

The Political Department of the ILGWU was founded in 1947, under the direction of Gus Tyler. Its primary function was to engage union members and their families in political issues at the local, state, and national levels. This engagement was achieved through conferences, publications, and other communications. Educational work was a hallmark of the department, as were the department's legislative monitoring, research activities, and organizing for electoral campaigns.
David Wells joined the Political Department in 1952, eventually becoming Assistant Director. In 1956, Evelyn Dubrow was named the ILGWU's chief lobbyist in Washington, D.C., and became a well-known fixture on Capitol Hill.
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The Political Department records are constituted of two accessions of Evelyn Dubrow papers and one accession of records from the department. Included are correspondence and memoranda, reports of lobbying activities, subject files on states and ILGWU affiliates, receipts for campaign contributions, ephemera from political campaigns.
These records are complemented by one accession of the Gus Tyler papers (5780/088) that includes records relating to his work as founding director of the Political Department, in addition to some of his other activities relating to the union. An oral history interview with David Wells (6036/076), in which the former Assistant Director discusses his work with the Union and in New York City, also complements the records of the Political Department.
Taken together, these materialsthe Political Department records, Evelyn Dubrow papers, Gus Tyler papers, and the David Wells interviewdocument a considerable range of the Political Department's work from its founding in 1948 to its merger with ACTWU in 1995.
This collection contains Evelyn Dubrow's correspondence, memoranda, and reports relating to the her lobbying activities in Washington, D.C. Also included in this collection are letters and receipts documenting campaign contributions, alphabetical files on states, as well as files on local unions, joint boards, and regional departments. The records of the Political Department also contain ephemeral printed material relating to political campaigns, including pamphlets, posters, and fliers.
SUBJECTS

Names:
Dubrow, Evelyn.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union. Political Dept.

Subjects:
Women's clothing industry--United States.
Clothing workers--Labor unions--United States.
Clothing workers--United States.
Industrial relations--United States.

Form and Genre Terms:
Records (documents)

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Access Restrictions:
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.
Restrictions on Use:
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.
Cite As:
ILGWU Political Department, Evelyn Dubrow Papers #5780/119. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library.
RELATED MATERIALS

Related Collections:
5780: ILGWU records
5780/103: ILGWU Political Department Records
5780/142: ILGWU Political/Legislative Department, Evelyn Dubrow Papers
5780/088: ILGWU Gus Tyler Papers
6036/076 OH: Daniel Soyer ILGWU Heritage Project
6036/080: Evelyn Dubrow papers
6036/080 P: Evelyn Dubrow Photographs
CONTAINER LIST

Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1 1977
April 13
Box 1 Folder 2 1977
April 13
Box 1 Folder 3
Box 1 Folder 4 1976
Box 1 Folder 5 1976
Box 1 Folder 6 1976
Box 1 Folder 7 1976
Box 1 Folder 8 1976
Box 1 Folder 9 1976
Box 1 Folder 10 1976
Box 1 Folder 11 1976
Box 1 Folder 12 1976
Box 1 Folder 13 1975
Box 1 Folder 14 1975-1976
Box 1 Folder 15 1976
Box 1 Folder 16 1976
Box 1 Folder 17 1976
Box 1 Folder 18 1975
Box 1 Folder 19 1976
Box 1 Folder 20 1976
Box 1 Folder 21 1976
Box 1 Folder 22 1975-1976
Box 1 Folder 23 1976
Box 1 Folder 24 1975
Box 1 Folder 25 1976
Box 1 Folder 26 1976
Box 1 Folder 27 1976
January 19-21
Box 1 Folder 28 1975-1976
Box 1 Folder 29 1975-1976
Box 1 Folder 30 1976
Box 1 Folder 31 1976
Box 1 Folder 32 1975-1976
Box 1 Folder 33 1976
Box 2 Folder 1 1976
Box 2 Folder 2 1976
Box 2 Folder 3 1976
Box 2 Folder 4 1976
Box 2 Folder 5 1976
Box 2 Folder 6 1976
Box 2 Folder 7 1976
Box 2 Folder 8 1976
Box 2 Folder 9 1975-1976
Box 2 Folder 10 1975
Box 2 Folder 11 1976
Box 2 Folder 12 1975-1976
Box 2 Folder 13 1976
Box 2 Folder 14 1964
Box 2 Folder 15 1968
Box 2 Folder 16 1968
Box 2 Folder 17 1968
Box 2 Folder 18 1968
In English and Spanish
Box 2 Folder 19 1968
Box 2 Folder 20 1968
Box 2 Folder 21 1968
Box 2 Folder 22 1968
Box 2 Folder 23 1967
Box 2 Folder 24 1968
Box 2 Folder 25 1968
Box 2 Folder 26 1968
Box 2 Folder 27 1968
Box 2 Folder 28 1970
Box 2 Folder 29 1970
Box 2 Folder 30 1970
Box 2 Folder 31 1970
Box 2 Folder 32 1970
Box 2 Folder 33 1970
Box 3 Folder 1 1970-1972
Box 3 Folder 2 1970
Box 3 Folder 3 1971-1972
Box 3 Folder 4 1970-1971
Box 3 Folder 5 1970
Box 3 Folder 6 1970
Box 3 Folder 7 1970-1972
Box 3 Folder 8 1970
Box 3 Folder 9 1970-1971
Box 3 Folder 10 1971
Box 3 Folder 11 1970-1971
Box 3 Folder 12 1972-1973
Box 3 Folder 13 1972
Box 3 Folder 14 1970-1972
Box 3 Folder 15 1972-1973
Box 3 Folder 16
Box 3 Folder 17 1972
Box 3 Folder 18 1972-1973
Box 3 Folder 19 1972
Box 3 Folder 20 1972
Box 3 Folder 21 1973
Box 3 Folder 22 1973
Box 3 Folder 23 1972-1973
Box 3 Folder 24 1972
Box 3 Folder 25 1972
Box 3 Folder 26 1972
Box 3 Folder 27 1972
Box 3 Folder 28 1972
Box 3 Folder 29 1972-1973
Box 3 Folder 30 1972
Box 3 Folder 31 1972
Box 3 Folder 32 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 1 1972
Box 4 Folder 2 1972
Box 4 Folder 3 1972
Box 4 Folder 4 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 5 1972
Box 4 Folder 6 1972
Box 4 Folder 7 1972
Box 4 Folder 8 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 9 1972
Box 4 Folder 10 1972
Box 4 Folder 11 1972
Box 4 Folder 12 1972
Box 4 Folder 13 1972-1974
Box 4 Folder 14 1972
Box 4 Folder 15 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 16 1972
Box 4 Folder 17 1972
Box 4 Folder 18 1974
Box 4 Folder 19 1972
Box 4 Folder 20 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 21 1972-1974
Box 4 Folder 22 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 23 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 24 1972
Box 4 Folder 25 1972-1974
Box 4 Folder 26 1972
Box 4 Folder 27 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 28 1972
Box 4 Folder 29 1972-1974
Box 4 Folder 30 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 31 1972
Box 4 Folder 32 1972
Box 4 Folder 33 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 34 1972
Box 4 Folder 35 1972
Box 4 Folder 36 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 37 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 38 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 39 1972
Box 4 Folder 40 1972
Box 4 Folder 41 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 42 1972
Box 4 Folder 43 1972
Box 4 Folder 44 1972-1973
Box 4 Folder 45 1972
Box 4 Folder 46 1972
Box 4 Folder 47 1972
Box 4 Folder 48 1972
Box 4 Folder 49 1972
Box 4 Folder 50 1972
Box 4 Folder 51 1972
Box 4 Folder 52 1972
Box 4 Folder 53 1972
Box 4 Folder 54 1972
Box 4 Folder 55 1972-1975
Box 5 Folder 1 1974
Box 5 Folder 2 1972-1974
Box 5 Folder 3 1974-1975
Box 5 Folder 4 1974
Box 5 Folder 5 1974
Box 5 Folder 6 1972-1975
Box 5 Folder 7 1974-1975
Box 5 Folder 8 1973
Box 5 Folder 9 1974-1976
Box 5 Folder 10 1974-1975
Box 5 Folder 11 1974-1975
Box 5 Folder 12 1974
Box 5 Folder 13 1974
Box 5 Folder 14 1974
Box 5 Folder 15 1973-1976
Box 5 Folder 16 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 17 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 18 1976
Box 5 Folder 19 1976
Box 5 Folder 20 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 21 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 22 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 23 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 24 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 25 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 26 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 27 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 28 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 29 1973-1976
Box 5 Folder 30 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 31 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 32 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 33 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 34 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 35 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 36 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 37 1972-1976
Box 5 Folder 38 1972-1975
Box 6 Folder 1 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 2 1974-1976
Box 6 Folder 3 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 4 1972-1975
Box 6 Folder 5 1975-1976
Box 6 Folder 6 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 7 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 8 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 9 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 10 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 11 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 12 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 13 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 14 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 15 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 16 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 17 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 18 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 19 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 20 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 21 1972-1976
Box 6 Folder 22 1972-1975
Box 6 Folder 23 1972-1975
Box 7 Folder 1 1976
Box 7 Folder 2 1974-1975
Box 7 Folder 3 1976
Box 7 Folder 4 1976
Box 7 Folder 5 1976
Box 7 Folder 6 1976
Box 7 Folder 7 1976
Box 7 Folder 8 1975
Box 7 Folder 9 1976
Box 7 Folder 10 1977
Box 7 Folder 11 1977
Box 7 Folder 12 1977
Box 7 Folder 13 1976-1977
Box 7 Folder 14 1976-1977
Box 7 Folder 15 1977
Box 7 Folder 16 1976-1977
Box 7 Folder 17 1977
Box 7 Folder 18 1976
Box 7 Folder 19 1977
Box 7 Folder 20 1977
Box 7 Folder 21 1977
Box 7 Folder 22 1977
Box 7 Folder 23 1977
Box 7 Folder 24 1977
Box 7 Folder 25 1977
Box 7 Folder 26 1977
Box 7 Folder 27 1977
Box 7 Folder 28 1977
Box 7 Folder 29 1977
Box 7 Folder 30 1977-1978
Box 7 Folder 31 1977
Box 7 Folder 32 1977
Box 7 Folder 33 1977
Box 7 Folder 34 1977
Box 8 Folder 1 1976
Box 8 Folder 2 1976
Box 8 Folder 3 1976
Box 8 Folder 4 1976
Box 8 Folder 5 1976
Box 8 Folder 6 1976
Box 8 Folder 7 1976
Box 8 Folder 8 1976
Box 8 Folder 9 1976
Box 8 Folder 10 1976
Box 8 Folder 11 1976
Box 8 Folder 12 1976
Box 8 Folder 13 1976
Box 8 Folder 14 1976
Box 8 Folder 15 1976
Box 8 Folder 16 1976
Box 8 Folder 17 1976
Box 8 Folder 18 1976
Box 8 Folder 19 1976
Box 8 Folder 20 1976
Box 8 Folder 21 1976
Box 8 Folder 22 1976
Box 8 Folder 23 1976
Box 8 Folder 24 1976
Box 8 Folder 25 1976
Box 8 Folder 26 1976
Box 8 Folder 27 1976
Box 8 Folder 28 1976
Box 8 Folder 29 1976
Box 8 Folder 30 1976
Box 8 Folder 31 1976
Box 8 Folder 32 1976
Box 8 Folder 33 1976
Box 8 Folder 34 1976
Box 8 Folder 35 1976
Box 8 Folder 36 1975
Box 8 Folder 37 1973
Box 8 Folder 38 1976
Box 8 Folder 39 1976
Box 8 Folder 40 1976
Box 8 Folder 41 1976
Box 8 Folder 42 1976
Box 8 Folder 43 1976
Box 9 Folder 1 1977
Box 9 Folder 2 1977
Box 9 Folder 3 1977
Box 9 Folder 4 1976
Box 9 Folder 5 1977
Box 9 Folder 6 1976-1977
Box 9 Folder 7 1977
September 15-18
Box 9 Folder 8 1977
May 21
Box 9 Folder 9 1977
Box 9 Folder 10 1977
Box 9 Folder 11 1977
Box 9 Folder 12 1977
Box 9 Folder 13
Box 9 Folder 14 1977
Box 9 Folder 15 1977
Box 9 Folder 16 1977
Box 9 Folder 17 1977
Box 9 Folder 18 1977
Box 9 Folder 19 1977
Box 9 Folder 20 1977
Box 9 Folder 21 1977
Box 9 Folder 22 1977
Box 9 Folder 23 1976-1977
Box 9 Folder 24 1977
Albany, New York
Box 9 Folder 25 1977
Box 9 Folder 26 1977
Box 9 Folder 27 1977
Box 9 Folder 28 1977
Box 9 Folder 29 1977
Box 9 Folder 30 1977
Box 9 Folder 31 1977
Box 9 Folder 32 1977
Houston, Texas
Box 9 Folder 33 1977-1978
Box 9 Folder 34 1977
Box 9 Folder 35 1976-1977
Box 10 Folder 1 1972-1977
Box 10 Folder 2 1977
Box 10 Folder 3 1977
Box 10 Folder 4 1977
Box 10 Folder 5 1977
Box 10 Folder 6 1977
Box 10 Folder 7 1977
Box 10 Folder 8 1977-1978
Box 10 Folder 9 1977
Box 10 Folder 10 1977
Box 10 Folder 11 1977
Box 10 Folder 12 1977
Box 10 Folder 13 1977
Box 10 Folder 14 1977
Box 10 Folder 15 1977
Box 10 Folder 16 1977
Box 10 Folder 17 1977
Box 10 Folder 18 1977
Box 10 Folder 19 1977
Box 10 Folder 20 1977
Box 10 Folder 21 1977
Box 10 Folder 22 1977
Box 10 Folder 23 1977
Box 10 Folder 24 1977
Box 10 Folder 25 1977
Box 10 Folder 26 1977
Box 10 Folder 27 1977
Box 10 Folder 28 1977
Box 10 Folder 29 1977
Box 10 Folder 30 1976-1977
Box 10 Folder 31 1977
Box 10 Folder 32 1975-1977
Box 10 Folder 33 1977
Box 10 Folder 34 1977
Box 10 Folder 35 1977
Box 11 Folder 1 1974
Box 11 Folder 2 1974
Box 11 Folder 3 1973
Box 11 Folder 4 1974
Box 11 Folder 5 1974
Box 11 Folder 6 1974
Box 11 Folder 7 1974
Box 11 Folder 8 1971
Box 11 Folder 9 1974
Box 11 Folder 10 1974
Box 11 Folder 11 1974
Box 11 Folder 12 1974
Box 11 Folder 13 1974
Box 11 Folder 14 1974
Box 11 Folder 15 1973
Box 11 Folder 16 1973-1974
Box 11 Folder 17 1971-1973
Box 11 Folder 18 1974
Box 11 Folder 19 1974
Box 11 Folder 20 1974
Box 11 Folder 21 1974
Box 11 Folder 22 1974
Box 11 Folder 23 1974
Box 11 Folder 24 1973
Box 11 Folder 25 1974
Box 11 Folder 26 1974
Box 11 Folder 27 1974
Box 11 Folder 28 1974
Box 11 Folder 29 1973-1974
Box 11 Folder 30 1974
Box 11 Folder 31 1974
Box 11 Folder 32 1974
Box 11 Folder 33 1974
Box 11 Folder 34 1973
Box 11 Folder 35 1974
Box 11 Folder 36 1974
Box 11 Folder 37 1974
Box 11 Folder 38 1974
Box 11 Folder 39 1973
Box 11 Folder 40 1973
Box 11 Folder 41 1974
Box 11 Folder 42 1974
Box 11 Folder 43 1974
Box 11 Folder 44 1974
Box 11 Folder 45 1974
Box 11 Folder 46 1971-1974
Box 11 Folder 47 1974
Box 11 Folder 48 1973-1974
Box 11 Folder 49 1974
Box 11 Folder 50 1973