Rose Finkelstein Norwood

Rose Finkelstein Norwood

Rose Finkelstein Norwood (1889–1980) was a prominent American labor organizer and social activist. She played a significant role in the labor movement during the early 20th century, advocating for workers' rights and women's suffrage.

Early Life

Rose Finkelstein was born in 1889 in Boston, Massachusetts, to Jewish immigrant parents. She grew up in a working-class neighborhood and was exposed to the harsh realities of labor exploitation from a young age. Her early experiences shaped her commitment to social justice and labor rights.

Labor Movement Involvement

Norwood became actively involved in the labor movement in the 1910s. She joined the Women's Trade Union League (WTUL), where she worked alongside other prominent labor activists such as Mary Kenney O'Sullivan and Rose Schneiderman. Norwood was instrumental in organizing strikes and advocating for better working conditions, fair wages, and shorter working hours.

Key Campaigns

One of Norwood's significant contributions was her involvement in the 1912 Lawrence Textile Strike, also known as the "Bread and Roses" strike. She helped mobilize workers and provided crucial support to the strikers. Her efforts were pivotal in securing better wages and working conditions for the textile workers.

Norwood also played a key role in the Boston Police Strike of 1919. She supported the police officers' demands for better pay and working conditions, highlighting the broader issues of labor rights and social justice.

Women's Suffrage and Social Activism

In addition to her labor organizing, Norwood was a staunch advocate for women's suffrage. She believed that women's rights were integral to the broader struggle for social justice. Norwood worked with various suffrage organizations and participated in numerous campaigns to secure voting rights for women.

Later Life and Legacy

Rose Finkelstein Norwood continued her activism well into her later years. She remained a vocal advocate for workers' rights and social justice until her death in 1980. Her legacy is remembered through her contributions to the labor movement and her unwavering commitment to social justice.

Related Pages

• Women's Trade Union League
• Lawrence Textile Strike
• Boston Police Strike of 1919
• Rose Schneiderman
• Mary Kenney O'Sullivan
• Women's suffrage

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