Collection: Bette Murphy Papers | Wayne State University ArchivesSpace

The papers of Bette Murphy contain UAW Local 148 minutes and finance reports as well as UAW convention material relating to the acitivities of Local 148. Also included are newspaper clippings and other documentation of Local 148 strikes at Douglas Aircraft in 1951-52 and 1977-78.

Dates

1942 - 1981

Creator

Murphy, Bette (Person)

Language of Materials

Material entirely in English.

Access

Collection is open for research.

Use

Refer to Walter P. Reuther Library Rules for Use of Archival Materials.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (2 SB)

Additional Description

Abstract

An active member of United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 148 (Douglas Aircraft-Long Beach), Bette Murphy was the first woman at Douglas to hold positions of supervisor and manufacturing engineer. Ms. Murphy's papers document the affairs of Local 148 throughout her career.

History

Bette Murphy was born on Staten Island, New York on November 29, 1918. She started working as a riveter at Douglas Aircraft Company's Long Beach, California plant in 1942, and became active in UAW Local 148 after the union won certification in 1944, serving in various positions, including chief steward and executive board trustee. Bette Murphy was the first woman supervisor and the first woman manufacturing engineer at Douglas and retired in 1978.

Arrangement

Materials are listed in the order they appear in the collection.

Transfers

Several photographs have been placed in the Archives Audiovisual Collection and a large number of issues of Local 148's newspaper, Air-Scoop, have been transferred to the Archives Library. A transcript of an oral interview with Bette Murphy may be found in the Rosie the Riveter Revisited series of oral histories on deposit at the Archives.