We Are One – Honoring Immigrant Garment Workers’ exhibit by Rachel Bernstein and May Ying Chen at The American Labor Museum, May 1st – Aug. 24th, 2024
Haledon, New Jersey – The American Labor Museum/Botto House National Landmark proudly opens the exhibit We Are One – Honoring Immigrant Garment Workers by Rachel Bernstein and May Ying Chen on Wednesday, May 1st, 2024.
We Are One – Honoring immigrant Garment Workers features historic photographs and more to celebrate the workers in garment manufacturing, many of whom were recent immigrants, who formed the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU). Composed of Jewish and Italian workers in the early 1900s, a wave of Puerto Rican and southern Black American workers joined the union by the 1950’s. After changes to immigration laws in 1965, they were soon joined by new waves of Asian and Latin American immigrants. Though often underestimated, immigrant women were always essential to the factories, the union, and the fight for safety laws.
Rachel Bernstein directs LaborArts, a website which presents exhibits collections, and events to further public understanding of the past and present lives of working people. Ms. Berstein researches, writes about and teaches American working-class history. Until her retirement in 2009, May Ying Chen was the Manager of ILGWU Local 23-25, and Vice President of the International Union. She continues organizing and educating workers through LaborArts, the Museum of Chinese Americans, and other organizations.
We Are One – Honoring Immigrant Garment Workers is on view at the Museum from May 1st through August 24th, 2024.
This program is made possible in part by a grant administered by the Passaic County Cultural and Heritage Council from funds granted by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
The Botto House National Landmark, headquarters of the American Labor Museum, is located at 83 Norwood Street in Haledon, NJ. The Museum's hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM. Visitors are welcome Wednesday through Saturday from 1PM-4PM and at other times by appointment. For further information about the Museum, call 973-595-7953 and visit www.american-labor-museum.org.