The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1947-09-18
From Union
Widow
To Union Wives
By ELEANOR ]. KARLSTROM

to think. was like many a union
wife who thinks her husband is out
doing the interesting, glamorous
things while she stays behind the
scenes keeping house and spending
long, lonely evenings at home. How
many of us have alternated be-
tween wishing our husbands would
quit the union forever and wishing
they would include US in what they
are doing, but unaware that our
part in the whole labor movement
is a vital one.
When / was first married /
wanted nice home where We could
entertain any of our friends. 1
wanted my husband to be in a job
with money and leisure enough to
enjoy our home.
Does He Have To Go Out
Tonight?
Then he became interested in the
labor movement. It took him more
and more away from home eve
nings. Many is the time | have
thought, "Does he have to go out
tonight? Why can't he stay home
and work on that new kitchen cup
board | need so badly?" So ! start
ed to lose interest in doing any
thing about the home myself.
Then one day / was talking to
some friends in Moral Re-Arma-
ment. They gave me a new idea OF
what labor with inspired, sound
leadership could do for the coun-
try and the whole world. had al
ways wanted my husband to be do
ing something really worthwhile in
the world, and gradually | began to
see this was his opportunity and we
could do it together.
That night we sat down and
talked things over. For the first
time | really wanted to hear asout
his work. He told me of his hopes
and dreams for labor. | told him my
hopes and dreams for our home,
and he really listened. saw thai
il | took time to understand what
he was doing l could think with
him for his work. My first job was
to create the kind of home atmos.
phere where he could relax and be
happy, and find inspiration to do
his best at wcik. 1t was up to me
to send him off to work with:
/. A tasty meal in his lunch box.
2. A plan in his head.
3. Inspiration in his heart.
1t was fun to feel had part
in my husbands work and he be-
gan to take much more interest in
our home. He said, ut is no use
trying to- fight for good working
conditions for labor outside unless
/ first improve the working condi-
tions right at home" He built the
cupboards in the kitchen. Later, |
started painting the fence around
the yard and when he saw the way
| was putting my heart into 1t, ne
found time to help me, and we
ended up by painting the inside of
the whole house.
What Are Daddies For?
Our six-year old son has felt the
effect of our new teamwork. lie
used to say, "What are daddies for
anyway ?" Now his Dad spends
time with him doing the things he
likes. We plan together for the
whole family-a picnic and a swim,
trip somewhere, or just little
family party at home. And it's fun
to have our neighbors and union
friends in to plan how TO spread
teamwork in the neighborhood and
the union. Home has taken on the
dignity that | always feel home
should have.
The labor movement took on the
same dignity after my husband
told me about the early labor pio-
neers who made great sacrifices
to improve life for the workers. |
felt ashamed of the way so many
of us women had been enjoying all
the benefits and protection of or
ganized labor but taking no re-
sponsibility for it ourselves.
When | saw the Importance OF
every man being responsible for
this union, wanted my husband to
go to the union meetings. Then
if he said he was tired and won
dered if he should bother to go
that night, ! did everything | could
to see he got there. fixed a meal
he really liked and plenty early
so he could relax before going out.
Now | laugh when think OF
how | used to daydream and wish
for more glamour and romance in
my lofe. There is plenty of drama
in knowing that your husbands
vote in a union or what he says at
the labor council meeting can affect
whole industry.
Labor does have a great destiny
and it is a privilege to have a part
i'm it. | am convinced that as every
"union widow" becomes union
n L