Black History Month 2025: Day 8 - The Vital Role of African American Women in Labor Movements
Domestic workers hoping to be hired for a day’s work
#BHM2025 Day 8: The Vital Role of African American Women in Labor Movements
As we continue celebrating Black History Month 2025 and focus on the theme of "African Americans and Labor," today's discussion shines a light on the crucial contributions of African American women in labor movements—specifically their leadership in domestic worker organizing. These women have been instrumental in advancing workers' rights and fighting for social justice, often in the face of systemic inequality.
1. Historical Context
African American women have long been a force in labor activism, beginning with their resistance to exploitation during the antebellum period. Enslaved women fought to protect their families and communities from the brutalities of the plantation system, setting the foundation for future activism. After the Civil War, during the Reconstruction era, many African American women worked as agricultural laborers, domestic workers, and in factories, organizing strikes and protests to demand fair wages and improved working conditions. These early efforts helped pave the way for later movements that focused on advancing labor rights.
2. Domestic Worker Organizing
One of the most significant areas where African American women made their mark was in organizing domestic workers. At the time, domestic work—such as roles as maids, cooks, nannies, and caregivers—was one of the few employment options available to African American women. Unfortunately, these jobs were often poorly paid, lacked benefits, and involved long hours with little job security. The work was essential but undervalued.
Women like Dorothy Bolden, who founded the National Domestic Workers Union of America (NDWUA) in 1968, and Geraldine Roberts, who created the Household Technicians of America (HTA) in 1970, stepped up to lead this effort. Their work helped organize domestic workers, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and the recognition of their labor rights. These organizations gave workers the tools and resources they needed to organize, support each other, and demand the respect they deserved.
3. Challenges and Achievements
Organizing domestic workers was no easy task. African American women faced challenges such as racial discrimination, gender bias, and a lack of legal protections. However, their perseverance led to meaningful achievements, both in terms of labor rights and broader social justice.
For instance, their efforts played a role in passing the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) in 1938, which established minimum wage and overtime protections for domestic workers. Another landmark victory came in 1974 with the inclusion of domestic workers in the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), giving them the right to organize and collectively bargain.
4. Legacy
The legacy of African American women in labor movements, particularly within the domestic worker organizing movement, continues to shape today's activism. Organizations such as the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) and the Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) carry on the fight for dignity, respect, and fair treatment for domestic workers nationwide. Their legacy serves as a reminder that African American women have been and continue to be central in the struggle for economic justice, gender equity, and racial equality.
Looking Ahead
Tomorrow, we will discuss how Jim Crow laws and racial discrimination had a devastating impact on African American labor opportunities and wages throughout much of the United States, particularly in the South. Stay tuned as we continue to honor and learn from the powerful legacies of those who have shaped the labor movement and the fight for social justice.
📢 Join the conversation: What other examples of African American women’s contributions to labor movements do you think are important to recognize? Share your thoughts in the comments!
References:
Jones, Jacqueline. Labor of Love, Labor of Sorrow: Black Women, Work, and the Family, from Slavery to the Present. Vintage Books, 1986.
Hill, Herbert. Black Labor and the American Legal System: Race, Work, and the Law. Temple University Press, 1985.
Cobble, Dorothy Sue. The Other Women's Movement: Workplace Justice and Social Rights in Modern America. Princeton University Press, 2004.
