PATTERNS OF WORKERS’ EDUCATION

 

and member in charge of mass recitation. It has been indicated that the
alumnae who ceased to be active have been absent from the city, or ill, or
have married. Those who have not been very active have stated that advanced
age, changed occupation, or marriage is responsible.

On the whole, the organized workers who have attended the School have
maintained their trade union loyalty, most of them belonging to a union of
clothing workers. Two women joined labor organizations after their summer
away from home. Eighteen candidates of the 28 under consideration belonged
to trade unions, six as leaders and 12 as members. When they were School
alumnae 15 of these women reported they were organized, 11 serving as
leaders and four as members. The women who have discontinued their affili-
ation have given changed occupation, marriage, and employers’ disapproval as
the reason. Observers in the community have commended the type of trade
union participation of alumnae. They have reported leadership as follows:
Joint board member, representative on the Central Trades and Labor Board,
organizer, business agent, active striker, representative on the C.1.O. Council,
educational leader. Particular attention has been called to the woman who
helped convert her company union into a bona fide union.

Other organizations in which the women have been interested include
churches, the League of Women Voters, the Democratic, American Labor,
and Marxist parties, the American League Against War and Fascism, the
Committee to Aid Spain, and a Consumers’ Cooperative. As a group, the
alumnae have tended to participate in these groups less than they did before
they went to the School. However, certain alumnae have greatly increased
their activity. One woman now participates in several organizations but exclu-
sively in the political field. Three lead church discussion groups concerned
with labor problems. One alumna is a member of a W.P.A. Committee for
the Advancement of Workers’ Education.

Partly responsible for the declining participation in miscellaneous groups
has been intense interest in the Summer School Alumnae Association, a group
which has sponsored many activities. Twenty-two of the 28 women under
consideration belong to the Association. When several members were unem-
ployed, a loan organization was established; the necessary funds were raised
through a cooperative store, set up in the Y.W.C.A. In addition, money has
been sent to the Summer School. A broad educational program has been
instituted, including preparatory and follow-up classes, Sunday forums, special

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