Antonini, Luigi, 1883-1968

Luigi Antonini (1883-1968), an Italian American labor organizer, was born in Vallata Irpino, Avellino, Italy, and came to the United States in 1908. He worked in a cigar factory, a piano factory, and as a dress presser. In 1913, he joined the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, for which he became an organizer for Local 25 in 1916, and, later, for Italian Dressmakers Local 89; from 1934-1967, he was ILGWU vice-president. Antonini was founder of the Italian Chamber of Labor in 1913 and of the Anti-Fascist Alliance in 1922. He also was president of the Italian-American Labor Party (1936-1942), and editor of L'Operaia, the Italian language magazine sponsored by ILGWU Local 25.

From the guide to the Luigi Antonini Papers, 1920-1959, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Immigration History Research Center [ihrc])