Floria Pinkney


Floria Pinkney was a Progressive Era garment worker and union activist from Brooklyn, New York. She was the first African-American woman to hold a leadership role as an organizer within the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union.

Early life and education

Pinkney was born in Connecticut. Her parents were both originally from Florida. After Pinkney's birth her then widowed mother moved to Brooklyn, where Pinkney's mother was a self-employed dressmaker. Before working in the garment industry, Pinkney attended Manhattan Trade School. In 1925 Pinkney received a scholarship to Brookwood Labor College sponsored by the American Fund for Public Service, which supported radical political causes. Her scholarship at Brockwood was extended two years due to her academic success, and Pinkney was recognized as a class speaker at graduation.

Activism

Pinkney joined the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union in the 1920s and was quickly identified as a promising leader. She worked for several years before attending Brockwood Labor College. After graduating, she returned to the industry but was quickly appointed as a union organizer in 1929. Pinkney was instrumental in the IGLWU's September 1929 drive to enroll black garment workers. She spoke alongside A. Philip Randolph, who lead the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and ILGWU Vice President Julius Hochman at St. Luke's in Harlem. Randolph endorsed Pinkney as an organizer for the ILGWU, calling her "a capable young woman". Pinkney worked beyond the garment district and was active in both the Harlem and Brooklyn communities. Pinkney attended the 1930 YWCA national convention, where she was selected to represent the Industrial Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.