No.459 Esther Peterson, 1991

File — Box: 60, Folder: 2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Esther Peterson (1906-1997) was born in Provo, Utah. Her father was Lars Eggerrtsen, a first generation American from Danish immigrants. Her mother was Annie Neilson from Veddham, Denmark, who crossed the plains with a handcart company. Esther describes her Utah childhood and talks about teaching physical education (dancing) for two years in Cedar City, Utah, at the Branch Agricultural College. She attended the Teachers’ College at Columbia to get her master’s degree in Administration of Physical Education. There she met her husband, Oliver. They married in 1932. Oliver encouraged her involvement in social issues. She taught at an exclusive girls’ private school, Winsor School, in Boston for six years. She also volunteered at the YWCA teaching dance to girls from the garment industry. After visiting the slums of Cambridge to observe the union movement these girls were associated with, Esther became involved in creating the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. She never stopped fighting for fair labor in America. She spent her summers at the Bryn Mawr College for women working in industry. Esher had four children, and balanced motherhood with teaching for Amalgamated Clothing Workers. She worked in Utah to organize the Utah Garment Factory, and was active in other labor causes. Oliver was a labor attaché, and later worked for the State Department. They spent many years in Europe. She continued working late into her life “on the Hill” in various departments. She has successfully influenced and established many of America’s labor and fairness policies.
Interviewer: Floyd O'Neil

Dates

1991

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.