PD News

The Greater Pittston Historical Society in cooperation with the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce unveiled a marker dedicated to the women in the garment industry on Thursday at the Pittston Tomato Festival lot on South Main Street.

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Representing the Pittston Historical Society, from left, Bill Hastie, Maria Capolarella Montante, Rosie Linko and John Dziak, president.

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The marker honoring the garment workers of Greater Pittston.

photos by sam chiarelli

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The black granite marker features a woman sitting at a sewing machine, a duplication from the terracotta tiles that were attached to the former Union Building in Wilkes-Barre. The figure may represent a grandmother, mother, sister aunt or any individual of that era who worked in the industry to provide a better life for their families during an economic crisis in the valley.

To the left of the worker enclosed in a hand-stitched union label the dedication inscription appears. A long stitching needle pierces the ILGWU logo. A pair of scissors cutting the thread is also seen. To the right, a threaded needle extending from a spool of thread highlights the year of dedication, 2009.

John Marino, of Dupont Monument Shop, designed the marker.

Featured at the program was an appearance of ILGWU leader Clem Lyons who offered a rendition of the anthem “Look for the Union Label.”

Maria Capolarella Montante, vice president of the Historical Society, chaired the event. She also chaired the dedication of the Pennsylvania Historical Marker that was commissioned and erected in 2006 by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.