Annetta M. Dieckmann papers, 1888-1974

Old Resource ID was ADieckmann

Annetta Maria Dieckmann (1882-1974) was a pioneer in progressive causes that included the betterment of working peoples' lives, feminism and civil rights. A native of Titusville, PA., Dieckmann received an AB (1909) and MA degree from Cornell and Columbia Universities.

She was an inspector for the NY State Board of Charities (1910-1915) and taught at the University of Hawaii (1915-1918). In 1918, Dieckmann became the first Industrial Secretary of the national YWCA, reflecting that organization's new emphasis on the "working girl". The YWCA Industrial centers grew out of World War I programs for women in war industries. In 1924, Annetta Dieckmann left the national YWCA headquarters to become the industrial secretary of the Chicago "YWCA. It was here that she was a key figure in developing programs for immigrant and unskilled women workers - "for which the Chicago YWCA became world famous". The programs provided for technical, clerical, and recreational needs, as well as stressing attitudes of racial harmony. Dieckmann remained with the Central YWCA until her 1951 retirement.

During her tenure as Industrial Secretary, she had lobbied for over 16 years towards the passage of a minimum wage law in Illinois. Her perseverance in this area secured for her a two-year appointment as an inspector for the Illinois Department of Labor.

From 1948 to 1950, she coordinated and authored the final report of the St. Louis Labor Education Project. The report (Box 54 #34) reveals the extensive research and creative effort her staff supplied to help local unions be more responsive to the needs of their rank and file.

Returning to Chicago in 1952, Dieckmann served for 2 years as Executive Secretary of the Metropolitan Chicago Council Against Discrimination.

From 1954 through 1960, she continued her work in civil rights and became editor of The Brief, a publication of the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She also served on the Board of Directors of the Illinois Chapter form 1953 until her death. After becoming full-time Board secretary in 1956, her efforts resulted in a state-wide civil liberties program and an ACLU award named in her honor.

All Dieckmann's projects reflected a deep commitment to basic humanitarian ideals. This attitude was visible in the active role taken in her neighborhood, Hyde Park. She was involved both in religious and civic affairs, especially with the Kenwood-Oakdale-Community-Organization (KOCO). Annetta Dieckmann was honored many times. Perhaps her most notable distinction was in 1963 when she received a special award from the US, Department of Labor, citing her work on behalf of all working women.

The Annetta Dieckmann papers (74-52) were received in a general subject order. The folders are arranged alphabetically by title, within the collection as a whole. The main area of concentration are: ACLU; Chicago/Hyde Park; Cornell University; Labor education, personal labor histories; women's rights; union work songs and poetry; the YWCA. Seven folders of material on the Teamsters detail Miss Dieckmann's work with St. Louis Local #688. This Teamster union provided the data for the Labor Education Project. All materials in this collection are printed or published, with the exception of two manuscript by Miss Dieckmann ("Report of St. Louis Project", Box #34, and a study of race relations in northern US cities, Box 3 #25). There is one oversize folder containing an ACLU fund-raising poster. This collection includes correspondence, clippings, notes, reports, minutes of meetings, biographical vitae, legal briefs, financial records, publications newsletters, manuscripts, personal mementos, poetry, songs and photographs pertaining to the life and professional service of Annetta M. Dieckmann from 1920 through 1974.

Annetta M. Dieckmann papers, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago

• Names
  • American Civil Liberties Union.
  • Dieckmann, Annetta M., 1878-1974 -- Archives
  • YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
• SubjectLabor unions and education.
• Geographic CoverageUnited States.