Croatian woman stepped up to help UP miners

    An independent socialist who inspired many, Anna ("Big Annie") Clemenc (1888-1956) bravely fought for justice during the 1913 miners' strike against the Calumet & Hekla Mine located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
    Beginning on July 23, 1913, and ending nine months later, the labor strike was called with the intent of improving conditions for miners, who were paid extremely low wages for work that was often hazardous, even deadly. Miners were especially concerned about the safety of a new one-man drill.
     A native of Calumet and the wife of a miner, Clemenc used her education, strength and courage to help organize the Woman's Alliance in support of the miners' cause. She marched daily with the strikers and was arrested and jailed twice.
    Clemenc is now one of three women featured on the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame medallion, representing women's early struggle for economic justice. A portrait of her, created by Andy Willis of the Miners' Art Group, hangs in the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame in Lansing.