Ben Gold

Did you know that one leader helped thousands of workers win safer jobs and fair pay? His name was Ben Gold.

Ben Gold was a U.S. labor leader during the 1930s and 1940s who led the International Fur Workers Union. He worked to make sure people who made fur coats and other garments could have safer shops, better pay, and a stronger voice when talking with bosses.

Gold grew up learning the fur trade and then helped organize workers during the hard times of the Great Depression and World War II. He led strikes, helped win national agreements, and brought many small shops together so workers could bargain as a team. Because he was also a member of the Communist Party, he faced political attacks in the years after World War II — showing how tense that time was.

The most important thing about Ben Gold is he showed how ordinary workers can win big changes when they unite. The contracts and safety rules unions fought for in his time helped shape better workplace protections we still use today. His story teaches that bravery, teamwork, and standing up for fairness can help many people have better lives.