UAW Local 2256 Education Committee: Did You Know? March Edition

Women in the United Auto Workers have played vital roles in building and strengthening the union through their leadership, resilience, and dedication to fairness on the job. From the factories to offices, from the floor workers to union leadership, women have helped fight for safer workplaces, fair wages, and equal opportunities for all workers. Their contributions have not only advanced the rights of women in the labor movement, but have also helped shape a stronger, more inclusive union that stands for dignity and solidarity for every member. March is Women’s History Month, so we would be remiss to not honor women who played a substantial role in improving our union.
 

Mildred McWilliams Jeffrey, known as “Millie” was a lifelong advocate for equality, labor rights, and social justice. She earned a psychology degree from the University of Minnesota in 1932, and a graduate degree in social economy and social research from Bryn Mawr College in 1934. Upon graduating, Jeffrey took a job in Philadelphia as a union organizer for the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America. The union sent representatives like Jeffrey undercover into garment factories, where workers toiled long hours under dangerous conditions for meager wages. Jeffrey helped organize formal groups that demanded better wages and safer workplaces from owners and management. In 1936, she and fellow Amalgamated union activist Homer Newman Jeffrey wed, and spent the next few years traveling the United States organizing plants and factories in several states before joining the labor movement. 

Jeffrey’s work in the movement brought her to Washington D.C. during World War II when she served as a consultant on the War Labor Board. During this time, she came to know Walter, Victor, and Roy Reuther. The Reuther brothers played a key role in the founding of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The UAW emerged as one of the most powerful and influential labor organizations in the post-World War II era, fighting for and winning major concessions from corporate giants like General Motors. The Detroit-based union pioneered many advances that became commonplace for full-time wage-earners in America, such as health-insurance coverage and annual cost-of-living increases. 
These connections later helped her become a leader in the UAW, where she directed the Women’s Bureau and championed equal rights for working women. In 1944, Jeffrey’s office at the UAW dealt with the issue of large numbers of women being forced out of their wartime jobs in Detroit-area automotive factories that had churned out tanks and munitions for the war effort, when American men began returning from military duty. A civil rights advocate, she was active in the NAACP and marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jeffrey also helped found the National Women’s Political Caucus and served on the Wayne State University Board of Governors for many years. In 2000, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Bill Clinton. She passed away in 2004 at the age of 93. 

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has statewide Learning Centers named after Prudence M. Humphrey. The learning centers were the realization of a vision held by the late Prudence, affectionately known as “Prudie”. As Vice President of UAW Local 2500 (BCBSM in Detroit), she was widely respected for her dedication to both the mission of the UAW and the success of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Prudence strongly believed in empowering employees by helping them build and strengthen their job skills. The Learning Centers were originally created as resources where Customer Service Representatives could improve remedial and job-related skills but later expanded to serve all employees of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network. 

The first language that established the Learning Centers was negotiated into the Master Labor Agreement’s in 1990.  The centers officially opened in 1996 through a partnership between the UAW and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The centers were respectfully dedicated in honor of Prudence M. Humphrey to recognize her vision and lasting impact. 

Still today, the Prudence M. Humphrey Learning and Resource Centers fulfill their purposes of providing employees with an atmosphere where they can strive for improvement in personal, career, and educational development. Employees can be encouraged and supported through individual instructor assistance or computer supported learning activities. 
 

As we reflect on the incredible women who have shaped our union’s history, we also should remember that we are the history for our brothers and sisters who come after us. We are continuing to have breakthroughs and milestones even now. We are proud to acknowledge that Amy Castanon is currently serving as the first woman President of UAW Local 2256- a testament to the strength, leadership, and continued impact of women in our union. Her leadership is a reminder that our union grows stronger when everyone has a seat at the table. Let’s continue to support, uplift, and stand alongside her as she helps shape our future. 

"A woman’s place is in her union.”