Uncredited Photographer Women's Emergency Brigade, United Auto #Workers Union, Flint MI 1936
In the 30s, few women worked in the auto plants, yet women were a crucial component of the victory of the sit down strikes that built the union and built the CIO as a strong, #militant #organization of industrial #unions. In Flint, the Women's Emergency Brigade picketed outside the plants the men were occupying. They provided food and medical care for #men in the plants. When the police shot tear gas into the plants, trying to force the men out by suffocating them, the women broke the windows from the outside, allowing the gas to escape and fresh air to enter into the plant. The efforts of the #Women's Emergency Brigade were crucial to the ultimate victory of the sit down strike after 44 days of factory occupation.
Victory to the striking #UAW members. #Union Strong! #Solidarity Forever!