Anderson, Mary, 1872-1964

Anderson, Director of the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor for 25 years, had emigrated from Sweden at 16. She worked for 18 years as a machine operator in shoe factories, was active in the Boot and Shoe Workers Union, and organized women workers for the National Women's Trade Union League before her appointment as assistant director of the Women in Industry Service in 1918. Anderson became director in 1919 and remained in that position (the Women in Industry Service became the Women's Bureau in 1920) until her retirement in 1944. She was a member of the Women's Work Committee of the International Labor Office and represented the U.S. at various international labor conferences. For further information, see Notable American Women: The Modern Period.

Anderson, Director of the Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor for 25 years, had emigrated from Sweden at 16. She worked for 18 years as a machine operator in shoe factories, was active in the Boot and Shoe Workers Union, and organized women workers for the Women's Trade Union League before her appointment as assistant director of the (federal) Women in Industry Service in 1918. Anderson became director in 1919 and remained in that position (the Women in Industry Service became the Women's Bureau in 1920) until her retirement in 1944.

Mary Anderson (1872-1964) was born in Lidkoping, Sweden and emigrated to the United States in 1888. After some years as an industrial worker in garment and shoe factories, she became an organizer for the National Boot and Shoe Workers' Union and, in 1903, one of the founders of the National Women's Trade Union League. In 1918, she was appointed Assistant Director of the Woman-In-Industry Service and later served as its director. She served as Director of the Women's Bureau in the Department of Labor from 1920 to 1944. She later served as Legislative Representative of the National Consumers' League.