Wisconsin Labor History Essay contest offers chance for students to learn about state’s labor history
Union members can encourage high school students to learn more about labor by participating in the Labor History Essay contest sponsored by the Wisconsin Labor History Society.
Rules for the 2020-21 contest have been announced and the Society is offering generous prizes from $100 to $500 for as many as eight winning students who write on the topic: “Unions have been important to my family and community because . . .” Essays must contain about 750 words and must be submitted by Feb. 15, 2021. See rules here.
Send your essays to the following email address: info@wisconsinlaborhistory.org. Put “essay contest” in subject line.
“This an excellent way to interest students to learn about the importance of labor unions in the history of our state and nation,” commented Steve Cupery, WLHS president. “Students might want to interview their parents, grandparents, relatives, friends, neighbors or others to find out how unions have affected their families.”
Recent studies indicate the topic of labor history is sadly neglected in the major textbooks and in the classroom. The Society has developed a “Labor History in the Schools” dedicated fund to encourage such study. Besides the Essay Contest, the fund is used to provide cash prizes to middle and high school students for projects with a labor history theme submitted in National History Day competitions. The Funds are raised by contributions from over 70 local unions, labor councils and individuals in the state.
Local union officers are urged to promote the essay contest among members as well as to alert local school teachers and district administrators about using the contest as a learning tool for students. For more information or to order flyers (with union label) email to: info@wisconsinlaborhistory.org.