Comic Books as Instruments of Union Organizing in Mid-Century America
Brought to you by LERA Philadelphia Chapter
Guest Presenter, Fred Jacob, NLRB Solicitor
1935 saw the birth of two great American institutions: the comic book and the federal right to join labor unions. In the ensuing decades, both comic books and labor unions saw exponential growth and expanded reach in American society. Their intersection was inevitable. Labor unions and their political opponents used the popular medium to reach working-class and immigrant populations through several publications. Solicitor Jacob will lay the contextual groundwork for these obscure but amazing comic books and discuss why comics were an ideal medium in mid-century to debate organized labor and its role in our economic and political systems.
*NOTE THERE WILL BE 2026-2027 OFFICER ELECTIONS AT THIS MEETING!
Date
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Schedule
5:30 p.m. Meet & Mingle (appetizers and networking)
6:15 p.m. Program begins
Location
AFSCME District Council 47, 1606 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Cost
Individual Non-Member ($40)
Individual New Practitioner (less than 5 Years) ($20)
Student/Guest ($10)
Registration
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Join us for an evening of learning, networking, and community as we work together to strengthen Philly LERA—we look forward to seeing you there!
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