RIP Mollie Lieber West Member/Retiree Chicago Typographical Union No. 16
RIP Mollie Lieber West 08/07/15
Chicago Typographical Union No. 16
CWA Local 4250/CTU No. 16 Members and Retirees as well as the Illinois AFL-CIO expresses sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mollie West who passed away at the age of 99 years old on August 7, 2015. Mollie helped found the Coalition of Labor Union Women in 1974 – which today has a network of more than 75 chapters and a membership of more than 20,000 men and women. She was a strong voice for women workers and for all workers throughout her entire life. A true champion of labor who will be remembered fondly for her contributions.
Excerpt From The Illinois Labor History Website:
“While still a teenager she experienced a baptism under fire during the citywide demonstration in support of the Republic Steel strikers, where ten died in the Memorial Day Massacre of 1937. Radicalized by that event, Mollie West plunged into labor politics and union building. As a mature woman she entered the printing trade, becoming an expert proofreader and union activist. She was elected to the Executive Board of her union, Chicago Typographical Union No. 16, and has been a Delegate to the Chicago Federation of Labor, and to the Illinois State AFL-CIO, as well. She was a founding member of Chicago CLUW. She has been the Administrative Secretary and full-time volunteer at the office of the Illinois Labor History Society for over twenty years.”
Read More About The 1937 Memorial Day Massacre: http://www.illinoislaborhistory.org/memorial-day-massacre.html
