Anna Klobuchar Clemenc

"Big Annie's" inspiration and leadership was a driving force during the miners' strike of 1913-14 .

KNHP Archives C& H Capello Strike Album #162 [Anna Clemenc Studio Portrait]

Quick Facts

Significance:

Community leader, labor strike leader

Place of Birth:

Calumet, MI

Date of Birth:

March 2, 1888

Place of Death:

Chicago, IL

Date of Death:

July 27, 1956

Born in Calumet, Michigan to Slovenian immigrant parents in 1888, Anna Klobuchar Clemenc Shavs was instrumental in the fight for worker's rights during the 1913-14 Copper Miners' Strike in Michigan's Copper Country. She founded and served as president of the Women's Auxiliary No. 15 of the Western Federation of Miners, serving jail time and suffering with ostracization due to her efforts. Inducted into Labor's International Hall of Fame and the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, "Big Annie" led a fight for social justice that was ahead of her time.

Learn more about her at:

• Labor's International Hall of Fame website

• Michigan Women's Hall of Fame website