Dorothy Epstein Papers
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
Dorothy Epstein (1913-2006) was a labor, political, and community activist and organizer. She served as the first female local president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), District Council 37. The collection contains Epstein's memoir and minutes, publicity materials, photographs, correspondence, and other assorted materials that document her activism.
Historical/Biographical Note
Dorothy Epstein (1913-2006) was a labor, political, and community activist and organizer. After graduating from Hunter College in 1933, Epstein worked at the New York City Department of Welfare, where she organized the department's first sit-down strike. Epstein later became the first female local president of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), District Council 37. She was also involved in Russian War Relief, the American Labor Party, the Unemployment Committee of the Greater New York Industrial Union Council, and the American Jewish Labor Council. Later in life, Epstein worked in the private sector and was the first female president of a vitamin production company, Synergy Plus. After retiring, Epstein was a senior activist, serving as president of the Hudson Guild Senior Center and the founding director of the Institute for Senior Action.
Arrangement
This collection has not been arranged by an archivist. Some special formats of materials have been rehoused, but otherwise materials are arranged in the order in which they were received from the donor.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains a manuscript of Epstein's memoir, A Song of Social Significance; photocopies of news articles featuring Epstein; and minutes, publicity materials, correspondence, and other assorted records of the American Jewish Labor Council, AFSCME District Council 37, the Unemployment Committee of the Greater New York Industrial Union Council, and other unions and groups. These materials provide information on Epstein's work as an activist, particularly during the 1930s through 1950s. There is also a printout of a picture of Epstein and her husband, Leonard Jacobson, picketing at the New York City Welfare Department, as well as black-and-white photographs of the American Jewish Labor Council and (possibly) other various unidentified groups and individuals.
Additionally, the collection contains two issues of Jewish Currents; several programs from the Bronx Council of Emma Lazarus Clubs' Annual Donor's Luncheons; two insurance documents related to the liquidation of the International Workers Order, Inc.; an International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union apron; and a guide to organizing called Manual of Practical Political Action (produced by the National Citizens Political Action Committee). There is also an American Labor Party scrapbook of articles, correspondence, and programs related to its Annual Labor Bazaar and financial records from the bazaar. Approximately 30 political buttons on a variety of issues from the 1960s to the 2000s and assorted labor and political pamphlets, flyers, tickets, membership cards, and other printed ephemera are also present. To a lesser extent, there are materials related to Dorothy Epstein's mother, Sophie Epstein. These materials include a book, a course reader, and a photograph of James W. Ford inscribed to Sophie Epstein, as well as certificates she was awarded from Jewish and/or workers' rights organizations.
Subjects
Organizations
People
Donors
Conditions Governing Access
Materials are open without restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright (or related rights to publicity and privacy) for materials in this collection, created by Dorothy Epstein, was not transferred to New York University. Permission to use materials must be secured from the copyright holder.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date; Dorothy Epstein Papers; TAM 359; Box number; Folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Robert Jacobson in 2006. The accession numbers associated with this gift are 2006.059 and 2006.060.
Separated Materials
Some materials listed in an initial inventory of the collection may have been separated from the collection at some point after it was donated to the Tamiment Library in 2006.
In 2013, an unannotated book was separated for library cataloging.
About this Guide
Processing Information
Photographs separated from this collection during accessioning were established as a separate collection, the Dorothy Epstein Photographs (PHOTOS 226). In 2013, the photograph collection was reincorporated into the Dorothy Epstein Papers (TAM 359).
Also in 2013, the American Labor Party scrapbook, ILGWU apron, and the political buttons were rehoused into a flat box (the scrapbook and apron) and an artifact box (the buttons).
