Madar, Olga (1915–1996)

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Madar, Olga (1915–1996)

American labor activist. Name variations: Olga Marie Madar. Born May 17, 1915, in Sykesville, PA; died May 16, 1996; Michigan Normal School (later Eastern Michigan University), degree in physical education, 1938.

Employed at Ford Willow Run bomber plant (beginning 1941); served as Detroit Parks and Recreation Commissioner (1958–66); was the 1st woman elected to United Automobile Workers (UAW) International Executive Board as member-at-large (1966); was the 1st woman elected vice president of UAW (1970); played significant part in launching Michigan Women's Political Caucus and the Network for Economic Rights; elected national president of Coalition of Labor Union Women (1974); known particularly for work to end discrimination against women and minorities. Inducted into Michigan Women Hall of Fame (1989) and Labor's International Hall of Fame (2004).

See also The Olga Madar Collection, Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor & Urban Affairs, Wayne State University.