Lettering on the main part of the banner reads: Local No 23 Organized July 17, 1903, New York, Affiliated with A.F. of L. CIO. The letters CIO appear to have been added on at a later date. The center logo reads: ILGWU International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union. The gold lettering, fringe and tassels match the gold material at the top which shows the name of union in red lettering, and appears to have been added at a later date. The faded red material could indicate that this banner was left sitting in the sun for two long, or that it was well used.

This large and influential local, originally home to Jewish and Italian activists, helped found the first union health center in 1919, and in the 1940s began providing services in Spanish to Spanish speaking members. Local 23 (chartered in 1903) and Local 25 (in 1905) merged in 1964 and, with the passage of the 1965 Immigration Act, Local 23-25 became home to many Chinese-speaking immigrant members and published its local newspaper in English, Spanish and Chinese.

possibly silk
44″ x 29″
pre 1963

International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union