Emma Tenayuca and the Pecan Shellers' Strike

From the 1800s to yesterday afternoon, women and girls across the United States have led historic organizing campaigns, and today we’re honoring one of these powerful yet lesser known activists whose story deserves to be told.

Emma Tenayuca was only 18 when she began organizing workers for the first time in San Antonio, Texas, in the 1930s, but even then she understood what a good wage could mean to the thousands of Mexican women keeping the city’s pecan shelling thriving while they themselves lived in slums.

Her story shows that anyone, no matter your age or gender, can lead a mass movement for economic justice and gain the trust of workers when sticking to your principles and keeping their fight at the center of your heart.

Music from this episode by:

Mr Smith IMLC Blue Dot Sessions Greg Kerkelie