Immigrant of the Day: Dorothy Jacobs Bellanca (Latvia)

Born in Latvia, Dorothy Jacobs Bellanca (189 –1946) was an American labor activist.  Emigrating in 1900, she went to work in a factory at age 13 and became an organizer for the United Garment Workers of America, leading a strike of fellow buttonhole makers in 1912.  She was an early organizer for Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA) after its split from the United Garment Workers in 1914. She became a board member in 1916 and became its first full-time female organizer in 1917.

During the Great Depression, Bellanca was a vocal advocate for unemployed garment workers. She was a member of the New York City Mayor’s Commission on Unity, and served on several state commissions to end racial discrimination in the workplace. A supporter of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she helped to organize New York State’s branch of the American Labor Party.

Bellanca became vice president of the ACWA in 1934, and held that position until her death in 1946. She devoted 30 years to organizing campaigns and several major strikes.

KJ