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Teachers. Social workers. Secretaries. When we think of women in the labor movement, these occupations may not come to mind. Yet in New Haven and elsewhere, women in white-collar and “pink-collar” jobs broke new ground in the 1970s and ’80s by organizing and demanding labor rights. The New Haven Museum (NHM) and Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven (JHSGNH) will present the stories of Jewish women in New Haven who fought for labor rights during the 20th century during the Fourth Annual Judith Ann Schiff Women’s History Program, “A Wonderful Struggle: Local Jewish Women in the Labor Movement,” on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 2 p.m. Also streaming on Facebook Live. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be recorded for social media. In the words of Edie Bartman Fishman, who was active in unions ranging from electrical workers to teachers: “Life is a struggle. But it’s a wonderful struggle when you’re fighting for the right things.” Jewish women fought to improve working conditions and pay in Connecticut for more than a century. Some of the women highlighted in the “A Wonderful Struggle” program won landmark victories in fields traditionally considered women’s work. Their stories still reverberate today, as the United States commemorates its 250th birthday and the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven its 50th.
In “A Wonderful Struggle: Local Jewish Women in the Labor Movement,” we will hear in person and on video from women who participated in the massive New Haven teachers strike of 1975 and in the historic victories of Yale University clerical and technical workers in 1983-84. They will describe the issues that motivated them to join the “wonderful struggle,” the difficulties they encountered, what helped them succeed, the results that followed the strikes and creation of new unions, and the ways these activities influenced their future work experiences.
In addition, the Nu Haven Kapelye Allstars—Cynthia Astmann, Dana Astmann, and Hedda Rubenstein—will perform traditional workers’ songs in both Yiddish and English.
A collection of items relating to the women highlighted in the program and their work environments will be featured in the Community Case in the New Haven Museum rotunda during the month of March.
Michael Dimenstein, co-president of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, notes that many JHSGNH members have been involved in labor issues in their respective careers. “As long-term residents of New Haven, they are aware of the local labor issues, strikes, results, and work remaining to be done, and we are happy to share this important discussion with the public.”
Speakers – A Wonderful Struggle: Local Jewish Women in the Labor Movement:
-Jennifer Klein, labor historian and the Bradford Durfee Professor of History at Yale University, will provide an overview of women in the labor movement.
-Joelle Fishman, daughter of labor organizer Edie Fishman, will discuss dock workers and factory workers from New Jersey to New Haven.
-Lois Wessel will share memories of her mother, social worker and union president Irm Wessel.
-Barbara Greenwood (retired teacher at High School in the Community), and Helene Sapadin (retired teacher at Welch Annex) will discuss the historic 1975 New Haven teachers strike.
-Susan Voigt and Deborah Chernoff (former clerical workers at Yale and leaders in the creation of Local 34 and the historic strike of 1984) will discuss Yale clerical and technical workers.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
114 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT, United States, Connecticut 06510
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