THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

Olga Marie Madar

May 17, 1915 – May 16, 1996

“I Became Active in the Union Movement, Because I Saw it Was the Only Way to Get Anything Done For the Workers.”

Lifelong labor activist. First woman to serve on the UAW International Executive Board and the first female Vice President in the union’s history. Madar used these platforms to advocate for equal rights for women and minorities in and out of the workplace. Through Madar’s efforts, the UAW became the first national union to endorse constitutional ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) in 1970. In that effort, Madar established various coalitions including the Michigan Women’s Political Caucus and the Network for Economic Rights to make the ERA a political priority beginning in 1971.