Mollie Lieber West

Mollie Lieber West (January 2, 1916 – August 7, 2015) was a labor activist and leader. Born in Sokolow, Poland, she emigrated with her parents to the United States at the age of 13 and settled in Chicago, where she faced challenges adapting due to the language barrier and a physical disability. After organizing a strike against Depression-era cuts to the arts at her high school, West graduated and became involved in labor organizing.[1]

From 1935 to 1962 she was a member of the Communist Party USA and from 1953 to 1955 lived in hiding and was under FBI surveillance. Later, after renouncing her Communist Party membership, she became active again in trade unions, served as a delegate to several national union organizations, and co-founded the Chicago chapter of the Coalition of Labor Union Women. Later in life, she was recognized by multiple organizations for her contributions to labor history.[1]

  1. ^ a b [1], Mollie Lieber West Papers (1916-2000) Finding Aid, Women and Leadership Archives, Loyola University Chicago.