National Women’s Trade Union League

American organization

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July 16, 2026

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The Women's Trade Union League (WTUL) was the first national organization in America dedicated to organizing women workers. Founded in 1903, it successfully united women from various social classes to advocate for improved working conditions. The WTUL focused on achieving an eight-hour workday, fair minimum wages, and the elimination of child labor and night work for women.

The organization played a significant role during garment industry strikes and conducted investigations into factory conditions, particularly after the tragic Triangle shirtwaist factory fire. While it received limited financial support from larger labor groups like the American Federation of Labor, the WTUL was instrumental in advancing the rights of working women until its dissolution in 1950.1

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Margaret Dreier Robins
…1922, as head of the National Women’s Trade Union League, Margaret Robins contributed to the expansion of trade unionism for women, promoted the training of women union leaders, and advocated the passage of state and federal labour legislation.
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…1922, as head of the National Women’s Trade Union League, Margaret Robins contributed to the expansion of trade unionism for women, promoted the training of women union leaders, and advocated the passage of state and federal labour legislation.
Read More