Flynn, Elizabeth Gurley

Flynn, Elizabeth Gurley (1890–1964) labor leader, social reformer; born in Concord, N.H. Daughter of Irish nationalists, she showed an early talent for public speaking on social issues; dropping out of school by 1907, she became an organizer for the Industrial Workers of the World. She was involved in many famous strikes including the 1912 Lawrence strike. She also worked for women's suffrage, peace, and other progressive causes, and was one of the founders of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) (1920). (Expelled from the ACLU in 1940 because of her Communist Party activities, the expulsion was rescinded in 1978.) Between 1912–25, she was romantically and professionally involved with Carlo Tresca, the Italian anarchist; she worked for such causes as the release of civilians imprisoned during World War I on war-related charges, and then worked to free Sacco and Vanzetti. A heart ailment kept her out of action for a decade but in 1936 she joined the Communist Party and became one of its most outspoken leaders in the U.S.A.; she served two years in prison (1955–57) under the Smith Act, charged with advocating the overthrow of the U.S. government. From 1961–64 she served as chairperson of the Communist Party of America. She died in Moscow where she had gone to work on her autobiography.