Women at the Knights of Labor General Assembly, 1886

The Knights were unusual in that they accepted people of all trades, and that they encouraged workers of a variety of occupational backgrounds to work together toward the improvement of all workers. This inclusive attitude aimed at including all workers stretched to include women and blacks. The 1880 General Assembly legalized the admittance of women, and Powderly continuously stressed the contributions of women to the order. In 1886, ten percent of all Knights were female, and sixteen women delegates attended the General Assembly meeting that year.


This item is part of the background to the Forging Bonds of Sympathy: The Catholic Church and the Knights of Labor section.

1886

American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives