Black and Latina women are making significant strides in labor union leadership, transforming industries and workplaces across the U.S. Despite the long-standing challenges of racism and sexism, these women are gaining ground in unions where they are making fundamental changes that benefit working families.
Historically, labor unions were seen as dominated by white men in hard hats. But today, women, particularly Black and Latina women, are becoming the faces of union leadership. According to Georgetown University labor historian Lane Windham, two-thirds of union members are women or people of color. This shift in leadership is not just symbolic but has led to tangible wins at the bargaining table, including better parental leave, health care benefits, and protections against sexual harassment.
A standout example is Gwen Mills, who became the first woman elected president of UNITE HERE, a hospitality union with a majority of women and people of color. Under her leadership, more than 12,000 workers went on strike to demand fair wages and affordable health care across six states.
Black and Latina women are particularly motivated to fight for equity, as they experience larger gender pay gaps and face both racism and sexism in their careers. Their rise to leadership is not an overnight success; it’s the result of decades of hard work by earlier generations of women who opened doors in labor organizing.
With union membership among Black women increasing from 10.3% to 10.5% in 2023 and Latina membership rising, these women continue to drive union growth and fight for better workplace conditions.
Black and Latina women are reshaping the future of labor unions, but how can their leadership inspire broader societal change?
