s0730 RYDER, MARY E. (1878-1961) SCRAPBOOK, 1947-1981
2 FOLDERS, 17 PHOTOGRAPHS

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI RESEARCH CENTER-ST. LOUIS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS

For a list of the images in this collection click here and go to the WHMC photograph database

Mary Elizabeth Ryder is best known today as a local union activist and humanitarian. She was coined the “Grand Dame of the St. Louis labor” by her peers in the labor movement. Ryder was one of ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Murphy in St. Louis, MO during the late 19th century. Widowed at age 35, she began work at the St. Louis Post Dispatch in order to support her four children. Ryder soon became active in the Central Trades and Labor Council, serving as vice president for eight years. In addition, she was president of the Women’s Trade Union League and Women’s Auxiliary of St. Louis Typographic Union No. 8.

An undisputed labor rights champion, Ryder showed equal passion and commitment for humanitarian work. During the Great Depression, Ryder founded the Mary Ryder Homes for Women (known today at Mary Ryder Home). She also co-founded Lighthouse for the Blind and was a member of the State Board for the Blind.

Ryder retired in 1952 from her job as a proofreader for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Just two years later, she was named “Woman of the Year” by the St. Louis Women’s Chamber of Commerce. In 1956, Ryder was named a St. Louis Globe-Democrat “Woman of Achievement.”

SCOPE AND CONTENT

This collection contains correspondence and several news clippings that chronicle the life and achievements of Mary Ryder. In addition, the collection also contains programs for a few of Mary Ryder Home functions.

FOLDER LIST

BOX 1

1. Correspondence, news clippings, and programs, 1978-1981
2. Photographs, 1947-1959

INDEX

Ryder, Mary
Labor
Mary Ryder Home for Elderly Women
Mary Ryder Home for Women
Mary Ryder Home
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Typographical Union No. 8
Central Trades and Labor Council of St. Louis
Lighthouse for the Blind

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI RESEARCH CENTER-ST. LOUIS
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
222 THOMAS JEFFERSON LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ST. LOUIS
ONE UNIVERSITY BOULEVARD
ST. LOUIS, MO 63121
(314) 516-5143
E-MAIL: whmc@umsl.edu