THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT
Dr. Ora Lee Malone
December 24, 1918 – October 30, 2012
“Keep the voting rights act alive and keep fighting for justice.”
Labor leader, social activist, union organizer. Strong advocate of voter registration and education. Worked to help repeal Boswell Amendment, 1946. Organized a garment factory union of mostly Black workers. Appointed shop steward, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (later became the Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union), 1956. Joined Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Unions (ACTWU) staff, business representative, 1970–1989. Founding member, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, 1970s. Served as CBTU Region 8 Representative on CBTU National Executive Council for 10 years. Organized the Coalition of Labor Union Women, (CLWU), 1974. Joined Nelson Mandela’s fight to end apartheid.
More About Ora Lee:
- Obituary
- Black Working-Class Women from St. Louis Played Critical Role in the Fight for Civil Rights, News Bureau, University of Missouri
- Oral History T-0344 Interview with Dr. Ora Lee Malone, by Bill Morrison, Black Community Leaders Project, May 3, 1973.
- Ora Lee Malone Papers (S0670); The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-St. Louis.