Dorothy Lee Bolden was only 9 years old when she discovered the hardships of being a domestic worker.
From washing diapers for $1.25 a week to pursuing a full-time maid position for $2.00 more in high school, the Georgia native had a front-row seat to the struggles of growing up in the Great Depression South, and soon grew tired of the extraneous travel and unfavorable conditions.
In 1968 Bolden transformed domestic workers’ rights by founding the National Domestic Workers Union of America (NDWUA).
With more than 40 years of experience under her belt, and the support of her neighbor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Bolden rallied against labor infringement and fought for fellow Black domestic workers to have fair wages, better service and resounding respect in the workforce.
She said in a 1978 interview: “See, we had to be brilliant, because all we could do is think. [Employers] would ask you about your opinions and you never got credit for your opinions. And you sure to God didn’t get credit for your ideas. And you had some brilliant ideas.”
The NDWUA trained members in skills such as cooking, cleaning, first aid, and more, and provided learning tools for negotiation, which instilled a new sense of confidence in the working women who could now self-advocate for better pay and other requirements. Within two years of its founding, Atlanta maids earned an average of $13.50 to $15.00 a day.
Beyond the impact in Atlanta, the labor alliance was a catalyst for a series of nationwide social progression and reform through the mid-1990s.
The inaugural chapter of the Domestic Workers Union, founded by Dora Lee Jones in 1934, paved the way for unsung Black heroines like Bolden to champion civic rights in their respective areas.
NDWUA’s fruition led to an increase in voter registration, and the mobilization of more than 10,000 workers. In the nationwide movement towards the betterment of Black people, Bolden and Jones remain an integral part of history, survived by modern advocates who share their same passions for justice.
“Reflecting on the journey, I pay tribute to the trailblazers. Dorothy Bolden is one of those pioneers. The legacy of improving #thecareeconomy and care worker rights has deep roots,” wrote domestic worker advocate Crystal Crawford in an April 2024 Instagram post. “Let’s honor Dorothy Bolden’s groundwork for the remarkable movement we are part of today.”