Memorial honors the women of 1937 strike

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2009/09/memorial_honors_the_women_of_1.html

by Jean Johnson | For The Flint Journal
Monday September 07, 2009, 1:22 PM


Hollyn Johnson | Flint Journal Geraldine Blankenship, an original member of the Women's Emergency Brigade who came to the aid of the Sitdowners at General Motors in Flint in 1937, stands in front of a new monument that depicts the Sitdown Strike during the Unveiling of the 'UAW Tribute to Women' at the UAW Region 1-C headquarters on Labor Day.


Women who took part in Flint's historic sit-down strike in 1937 were honored today at Sit-Downers Memorial Park.

The unveiling of the United Auto Workers Tribute to Women was attended by about 400 people, including seven surviving strikers.

The strike against General Motors, which ended on Feb. 11, 1937, was a watershed event in the establishment of the UAW.

"So many people forget about what Labor Day is about," UAW Region C-1 Director Duane Zuckschwerd said today. "This is our holiday. This is laborers' holiday.

"If it wasn't for the courage of these men and women, we wouldn't be here this glorious day," Zuckschwerd said. "I wanted to thank all the sit-downers for the courage they had, to sit down and stand tall for all the middle class."

FULL story at link.