Clara Leichter

Labor organizer who transformed garment worker rights through radical strikes

Ukrainian-American activist Clara Leichter (1886-1982) engineered the 1910 Chicago Garment Workers Strike that revolutionized labor laws. As a 19-year-old immigrant, she mobilized 40,000 predominantly female workers across 500 factories - the first major industry-wide strike led entirely by women.

Leichter's multi-ethnic organizing strategy united Jewish, Italian and Polish workers through multilingual 'flying squads' that paralyzed production. Her demands for fire exits and ventilation systems directly addressed workplace dangers highlighted later by the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. The 11-week strike forced manufacturers to accept collective bargaining, reducing work hours from 70 to 54 weekly.

Founding the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union, Leichter pioneered healthcare co-ops and adult education programs. Her intersectional approach to labor rights - connecting wages to childcare access and domestic violence protection - reshaped 20th-century activism, proving grassroots movements could achieve systemic change without political backing.