User:Meredithc226/Maida Springer Kemp

In 1957 apart from her work in Africa with the AFL-CIO she had worked with African trade unionists to educate and unite them. From this, she played a key role in the founding of Solidarity House in Nairobi.

Early Life and Work

In 1933 thew Local 22 at the time was heavily influenced by Communist ideology. Jay Lovestone after refusing to follow Stalin's orders blazed a new path within the Garment Union. Chris Zimmerman as the Local 22 manager saw the importance of gaining favor with black people to further their control. Zimmerman can be attributed to helping Maida make her rise within the organization. under the new National Industrial Recovery Act this finally gave industrial workers to right to unionize. For Maida after joining the ILGWU (International Ladies' Garment Workers Union) along with newly elected president David Dubinsky lead a strike throughout New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to demand a minimum wage, fixed-hour work weeks, and safer work environments. From this newfound use of power came a substantial increase in union memberships in Local 22 from 50,000 in 1933 to 200,000 in 1934.

As Maida would take on more and more roles within the labor union she would continue her education of the inner workings that comprise a union as well as running a business. 1942 is cited as her first official assignment as the education director for Local 132. During World War II since most of the men had gone off to Europe to fight, positions in the shops had to be filled. Maida's task as education head had her create lesson plans informing new union members about what a union can offer as well as the goals set out for them as well. Then in 1945, she took on becoming a business agent for Local 22. Her work comprised of overseeing complaints as well as implementation.

International Work

Along with joining the AFL-CIO in 1945 and going to Britain as a delegate to study the wartime conditions of Britain. Maida would go on to experience first hand the actions and sacrifices made by Britain and Europe as a whole. From subway tunnels in London being refashioned into air-raid bunkers for the masses. Also, Maida had met Anna Freud and her psychological work with children dealing with the shock from the constant bombing and worry.

Throughout her times in Africa Maida would meet many important people fighting in the labor movement. Julius Nyerere around 1966 was the president Tanganyika Africa National Union (TANU) working closely with him to coordinate the implementation of better union work. Also, she was a consultant for the Asian-American Free Labor Institute which was another program of the AFL-CIO.

Personal Life

Maida was a persistent worker, as well as very involved in the labor movement. She was a prolific character in forming and implementing new standards for the International unions. By the nature of her work she was rarely home and would put strains on her marriage with James Kemp. Both were committed individuals to civil rights and labor equality.