Johnson, Mary, 2003 June 17

Mary Johnson attended New Haven Teacher's College during the Great Depression. After graduation, she taught in Milford, CT, then in Cheshire, CT, eventually moving to Troupe Middle School in New Haven. Johnson's husband worked at Winchester Repeating Arms factory, where he was very involved in the union, before being hired by his international as an organizer. Early in her tenure at Troupe, Johnson became involved with the New Haven Federation of Teachers, and was a lead negotiator in teachers' strikes in 1968, 1970, 1973, and 1975. Johnson spent several nights in jail during these strikes. Johnson is proud of her union activities, and recognizes the real gains achieved by the striking teachers. She suggests, however, that the radicalism which underlay the 1970s strikes has dissipated, leaving a class of teachers disinterested in their union and unaware of its past.

Interviewer: Strohl, Nicholas

Length (min): 80, 29