Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890

The strike began on October 17, 1950; Mexican-American miners at Empire Zinc lived in company shacks while Anglo miners had houses with running water. When the June 1951 injunction barred the men, their wives, mothers and daughters took the picket line on June 12. Four days later Sheriff Goforth's new deputies hit the line with tear gas, and many women were jailed with their children, while the men kept house. The strike was settled in January 1952. Salt of the Earth, which the panel calls a documentary, was a fictionalized feature made in 1953 by blacklisted filmmakers.

What the plaque says

Official Scenic Historic Marker Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 Mine Mill & Smelter (1951-1952) After eight failed negotiating sessions and the expiration of their labor contract, Mexican-American workers at the nearby Empire Zinc mine struck for wage and benefit equality. When an injunction prohibited union members from picketing, the women-wives, mothers, sisters and daughters-took the union workers' places on the line. (continued on back) Official Scenic Historic Marker Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 Mine Mill & Smelter (1951-1952) The "striking" women persevered despite life threatening situations, violence, incarceration and tension at home. Their determination made national news and resulted in the popular documentary film, Salt of the Earth. These courageous women not only survived in solidarity until the strike ended, but they commanded recognition as well as respect.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Santa Rita Copper Mine — 3.8 mi
  The copper pit east of Silver City that swallowed the town it was named for, beneath a spire of volcanic rock long said to look like a nun at prayer.
• City of Rocks State Park — 17 mi
  Pinnacles of volcanic tuff up to forty feet high standing in the grassland between Deming and Silver City, worn out of an eruption 34.9 million years ago.

More markers nearby

• Kneeling Nun — steps away
• Santa Rita Copper Mines — 2.2 mi
• Fort Bayard - 1866-1900 / Fort Bayard National Cemetery — 2.3 mi
• Bayard — 3.2 mi