Skip to main content

Agnes Burns Wieck Papers

 Collection
Identifier: LP001476

Scope and Content

The Agnes Burns Wieck Papers consists primarily of correspondence with her family and labor activists, articles written by Ms. Wieck and her husband and other material reflecting her involvement with the Illinois Women's Auxiliary of the Progressive Miners of America. Some of the folders contain her son, David Thoreau Wieck's notes on their contents.

Important subjects in the collection: Coal miners--Illinois Illinois Workers’ Alliance Progressive Miners of America Progressive Miners of America--Illinois Women’s Auxiliary Women in the labor movement Women’s rights--United States

Important correspondents in the collection: Jane Addams Hank Mayer Douglas B. Anderson A. J. Muste Mary Anderson Bette Norman Jack Battuello Loren Norman Eugene V. Debs Tom Tippett Katie DeRorre Mary Van Kleeck Robert M. Lovett David Thoreau Wieck Ada Mayer Edward A. Wieck

Dates

  • 1908 - 1985
  • Majority of material found within 1920 - 1969

Creator

Language of Materials

Material entirely in English.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Use

Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library Rules for Use of Archival Materials.

History

Agnes Burns Wieck was born on January 4, 1892 to a coal mining family in Sandoval, Illinois. In 1915, she trained as an organizer for the Women's Trade Union League and married coal miner and union activist Edward A. Wieck in 1921. A few years later, she joined the staff of the Illinois Miner, beginning a long career in journalism. During the 1932 strike that led to the formation of the Progressive Miners of America, Ms. Wieck became involved in the founding of the organization's Illinois Women's Auxiliary and was subsequently elected its first president. The Auxiliary dissolved within two years, however, when the United Mine Workers rejected a proposal to form a national women's auxiliary. In 1934, Agnes Wieck moved to New York City with her husband, where she remained active in the labor and women's movements as editor of The Woman Today. She died on October 22, 1966.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (3 SB)

Abstract

Labor activist and journalist Agnes Burns Wieck served as an organizer for the Women's Trade Union League, and was a founder and president of the Progressive Miners of America (PMA) Illinois Women's Auxiliary. Ms. Burns Wieck's papers document her work as an advocate for women's rights and the labor movement, particularly concerning the Illinois PMA Women's Auxiliary.

Arrangement

Folders are listed by their location within each box. They are not necessarily arranged, so any given subject may be dispersed throughout the entire collection.

Related Material

Edward A. Wieck Papers

Transfers

A few photographs and a button have been placed in the Archives Audiovisual Collection.

Processing History

Processed by Walter P. Reuther Library.
Title
Guide to the Agnes Wieck Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by the Walter P. Reuther Library
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository

Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA