Durham Fuller, Mabel. Oral History Interviews conducted by P. Sinclair, February 22, 1988. Audiocassettes.
Collection Number: 6036/034 OH
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Title:
Durham Fuller, Mabel. Oral History
Interviews conducted by P. Sinclair, February 22, 1988. Audiocassettes., 1988-1988
Collection Number:
6036/034 OH
Creator:
Durham Fuller, Mabel
Sinclair, P.
Fields, Jill
Quantity:
0.22 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
Oral history.
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives,
Cornell University Library
Abstract:
This collection contains the audio recording of an oral history
interview with Mable Durham Fuller.
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.
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.
Form and Genre Terms:
Audiovisual material.
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:
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.
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Container
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Description
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Date
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| Box 1 | Folder 1 | 1988 | |
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tape 1
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| Box 2 | Folder 1 | 1988 | |
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Tape 2
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