Early 20th century Labor Day Parade in Boston | multiple open air buses for women of the Telephone Operators Union

Posted on by Catherine

marvelous photojournalist, Leslie Jones, Boston Public Library collection (date of this Labor Day photo featuring female telephone operators is unknown-circa 1917-34. Any guesses? Amazing despite WWI and the Spanish Flu epidemic that they would need to strike–and won–in 1919.)

Published by Catherine

posted content / cell phone photos mine, unless otherwise credited (thumbnail portrait of Catherine at MFA © David Cox photo)

5 thoughts on “Early 20th century Labor Day Parade in Boston | multiple open air buses for women of the Telephone Operators Union”

  1. Based on the hemlines, which seem to cover the ankle for adult women, I’d say pre-1920’s. Hemlines went back down in the 30’s -40’s but the ankle was bare. The straw boaters everywhere might suggest the same. But I’m no expert, just a thought.

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    1. Thanks for adding in. Absolutely — fashion dating! Another great point. Such a beautiful composition and the crowd dressed up. All the men’s boater hats, the umbrellas, children’s clothing, and police officers’ uniform are tells. (Police went on strike in 1919, too.) On the USA flags on the first vehicle, the stars are staggered. I love the phone operators staged in the palms. Short hairstyles. circa 1917-20 perhaps

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