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Bessie Abramowitz (18891970) and Sydney Hillman (18871946) Labor activists
Abramowitz started the historic garment workers strike of 1910-11here at 1922 South Halsted Street, the former location of Hart, Schaffner & Marx Shop #5. She led 16 seamstresses out of the plant in protest because their piece rate was reduced. Hillman was among the citys 40,000 garment workers who joined them. The couple emerged as leaders of the United Garment Workers Union, negotiating a contract that became a model for labor-management relations.
The labor struggle spread throughout the nation and, in 1914, the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America was created. At age 26, Hillman was elected its first president, an office he would hold until his death 32 years later. He and Abramowitz had relocated to New York, but they returned to Chicago to marry on May Day, 1916.
Among the ACWAs innovations were the 40-hour work week, unemployment insurance, and the creation of labor-owned housing and banks (including the Amalgamated Bank of Chicago).
Bessie Hillman served on the ACWAs executive board and fought for civil rights, child welfare and womens rights.