International Ladies Garment Workers Union

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Nell Donnelly Reed

Author:

Rebekah Aycock

University of Kansas

Born Ellen Quinlan in Parsons, Kansas, Nell Donnelly Reed was the founding owner of the Donnelly Garment Company. The women’s clothing line became a national sensation. Reed’s was the first company to mass produce affordable and attractive ready-to-wear clothing for women. She was one of many people to capitalize on the garment industry’s move to Kansas City and other spaces outside of the Northeast. Reed was a talented designer who envisioned the mass production of flattering, beautiful clothing for working class women. After selling a few of her new designs to local stores, Reed decided to open her own shop. This was the start of the Donnelly Garment Company, officially founded in 1916. The innovation and glamour of Reed’s professional and social life in Kansas City, especially after her advantageous marriage to former-Senator James A. Reed, is clouded by accusations of her abusive managerial practices and her clashes with the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union.

ILGWU Local 270 Banner

Genre:

Physical Objects

Banner for the Coat and Suit Workers Local 270 of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, as seen on display at the entrance to the Kansas City Garment District Museum.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 132: Lottie Conroy Death Certificate

Genre:

Miscellaneous Documents

Death certificate for Lottie Conroy issued by the Missouri State Board of Health. She died on March 24, 1934, and her cause of death is listed as second and third degree burns resulting from her clothing catching fire.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Exhibit 1 to Affidavit of Flora Slatnick

Genre:

Photographs

Clippings

Photograph of a woman with torn clothing, "caught in the middle of a fight between women garment workers and strike pickets," outside of a dress factory in Memphis, Tennessee.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Amended Bill in Equity

Genre:

Miscellaneous Documents

Amended bill in equity in Equity Case No. 2924: Donnelly Garment Company and Donnelly Garment Sales Company, Plaintiffs, vs. International Ladies' Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) and all members of said union as defendants in this class action. In this petition, the plaintiff asserts the ILGWU has been conspiring to force employees of the Donnelly Garment Company to join the defendant union. This bill in equity lists 39 statements from the plaintiff that outlines their case against the ILGWU and its members. The document then lists the requested injunctions.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Affidavit of Ellen Fry

Genre:

Miscellaneous Documents

Ellen Fry's affidavit in Equity Case No. 2924: Donnelly Garment Company and Donnelly Garment Sales Company, Plaintiffs, vs. International Ladies' Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) and all members of said union as defendants in this class action. In this affidavit, Fry describes working conditions at the Donnelly Garment Company and the reaction she and others faced from supervisors after joining a union.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Exhibit No. 3, Cutting Room

Genre:

Photographs

Photograph of the cutting room at The Donnelly Garment Company in the Corrigan Building at 1828 Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Exhibit No. 19, Cafeteria

Genre:

Photographs

Photograph of the cafeteria at The Donnelly Garment Company in the Corrigan Building at 1828 Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri. The employees are provided food there "at a minimum cost."

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Exhibit No. 67, ILGWU Demonstration on March 17, 1937

Genre:

Photographs

Photograph of protestors at a sit-in on March 17, 1937 by the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. This image was captured inside of the Grand Avenue Building, location of the Gordon Brothers Garment Company, Gernes Garment Company, and Missouri Garment Company building at 2617 Grand Avenue (now Grand Boulevard), Kansas City, Missouri. This photograph was taken by Kansas City Journal-Post newspaper photographer George Cauthen.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Exhibit "58", Articles of Agreement

Genre:

Miscellaneous Documents

Articles of Agreement between the Donnelly Garment Workers' Union and the Donnelly Garment Company at 1828 Walnut Street, Kansas City, Missouri. At the time of the agreement, 1305 out 1333 Donnelly Garment Company employees were registered with the preceding union. This document defines the rates of pay, hours, election of union committees, and other labor issues.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Exhibits "A-30", Graph of Minimum Hourly Wages

Genre:

Miscellaneous Documents

A bar graphs displaying the minimum hourly wage provision for the lowest paid crafts in the dress industry from 1913 to 1939. The 'x' axis charts the year and the 'y' axis charts the minimum hourly wage in cents. The graph shows a gradual increase in wage over time with a dip in 1933.

Donnelly Garment Company vs. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, et al.: Statement from Circuit Judge Van Valkenburgh

Genre:

Miscellaneous Documents

Statement from Circuit Judge Van Valkenburgh in Equity Case No. 2924: Donnelly Garment Company and Donnelly Garment Sales Company, Plaintiffs, vs. International Ladies' Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) and all members of said union as defendants in this class action. In this document, Circuit Judge Van Valkenburgh presents a summary of the case and his interpretation of the same. He then outlines the legality of requesting injunctions or for their dismissal. Van Valkenburgh also includes excerpts of testimony from Wave Tobin, manager of the Kansas City Joint Board of ILGWU.

International Ladies Garment Workers Union

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