Helen Quirini papers,
- Author:
- Quirini, Helen, 1920-
- Call Number:
- MSS APAP-102 local
- Abstract:
- This collection contains autobiographical material as well as records related to Helen Quirini's work at General Electric and her community activism. Records that document Quirini's involvement in numerous issues and community organizations are in the form of minutes, agendas, financial information, memos, news clippings and articles, reports, correspondence, newsletters, magazines and other publications, notes, pamphlets and brochures, conference materials and fact sheets.
- Historical Note:
- Helen Quirini is a lifelong resident of Schenectady, New York known for her dedication to the causes of organized labor, social justice, and local activism. Throughout her life she has assisted and directed a large and varied number of community organizations for progressive causes. Quirini began working for General Electric's Schenectady plant on April 1, 1941, doing piece work in the factory. Her goal was to save enough money for college, but her plan was interrupted by the advent of WWII. Quirini decided to continue working through the war and by the end of the war she had established a pattern of union leadership and community activism that continued throughout her life. At General Electric, she joined the Athletic Board, advocated for equal treatment for women workers, organized drives for the local Red Cross, and joined IUE Local 301. When Quirini retired in 1980, she continued her activism, particularly for the rights and benefits of retirees and community causes in Schenectady County. She has been a member or director of a wide variety of civic and labor organizations, including: IUE Local 301, General Electric Retirees for Justice, Refreshing Springs Day Care, Human Rights Commission, YWCA of Schenectady, Better Neighborhoods Inc., Schenectady Council of Senior Citizens, Schenectady Day Care Council, Health Services Agency of Northeastern New York, Schenectady County Committee on Health Care Issues, American Association of Retired Persons Chapter 490, and Citizens for Preservation and Revitalization. In the 1990s she became well known for her attempts to win greater benefits for General Electric retirees.
- Physical Description:
- 27.60 cu. ft
- Access Terms:
- Access to the collection is unrestricted.
- Notes:
- Part of the Archives of Public Affairs and Policy. local
- Subjects:
- Community organization New York (State), Social action New York (State), Community organization, and Social action
- Genres/Forms:
- Minutes. aat, Memorandums. aat, Correspondence. aat, Newsletters. aat, Pamphlets. aat, Clippings. aat, Publications. aat, Agendas. aat, and Proposals. aat
- Names:
- Quirini, Helen, 1920-
- Corporate Names:
- General Electric Company, Human Rights Commission of Schenectady County (Schenectady County, N.Y.), Young Women's Christian Association (Schenectady, N.Y.), Better Neighborhoods, inc, United Way, Human Services Planning Council (Schenectady County, N.Y.), American Association of Retired Persons. Schenectady County Chapter 490, Day Care Council (Schenectady, N.Y.), General Electric Company, and United Way
- Geographic Terms:
- New York (State)
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