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Collar Maid Cuffed Bosses |
The following article appeared in the April 24, 2001 edition of the Troy Record and was submitted by Pam Trudeau.
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Collar Maid Cuffed Bosses |
Nineteen-year-old Kate Mullaney was one of the 3,000 women in Troy who
worked in the collar industry. Kate, her mother, her sister Mary, two younger
sisters, and brother Frank, all Irish immigrants, lived not far from the collar center.
In 1864, Kate, along with co-workers Esther Keegan and Sarah McQuillan decided that
the laundry workers deserved more money and better working conditions. They formed
the Collarworkers' Union, the first female union in the country. At noon on
Wednesday, Feb. 23, 1864, 300 or so women went on strike from all the commercial
laundries. The owners gave in almost a week later. Kate and her girls led a
few more successful strikes before losing to the owners in 1870. However, she
opened many doors for working women. William Sylvis, president of the
national union, appointed her assistant secretary, the first woman ever appointed
to a national union office.
From 1869 to 1875, Kate and her family lived in a three-story brick double
row house located on Eighth Street. Kate Mullaney died on Friday, Aug. 17, 1906
and was buried in an unmarked grave at St. Peter's Cemetery. Unmarked,
but not forgotten.
Last year a Celtic cross was placed on her unmarked grave during May Day celebrations.
Two years ago, Hillary Clinton placed a plaque on her house, honoring her efforts.
This year there will be a dedication of two stone benches at the Kate Mullaney
gravesite at St. Peter's Cemetery Saturday at 11 a.m. An Irish pipe band will be
on hand, along with some local dignitaries. That evening, at the Eighth Step
Coffee House at Cohoes Music Hall, you can enjoy an evening of music, dance and
an exclusive video appearance of Utah Phillips. On May Day, a forum will be held
at the Cohoes Music Hall. Between 6 and 7 p.m., a reception will be held first
at the Cohoes RiverSpark Visitor Center followed by the evening program from
7 to 9:30 p.m.
