Womanica Pink Collar Workers: Carrie Crawford Smith
Aug 12, 2025
Discover the remarkable story of Carrie Crawford Smith, who dedicated her life to placing Black women in dignified jobs in early 20th-century Chicago. Despite facing discrimination, she created an employment agency that prioritized respect and empowerment. Explore her resilience and the lasting influence she had on the community of domestic workers. This enlightening narrative shines a light on the often-overlooked contributions of women in shaping a more just workforce.
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Evanston Employment Agency Launch
- Carrie launched the Smith Employment Agency from her Evanston home in 1918 to place domestic workers, especially Black migrants.
- She focused on securing well-paying, dignified jobs for her clients.
Backdoor Leadership Strategy
- Carrie ran the agency under a principle her son Melvin later called "backdoor leadership," guiding quiet, firm advocacy.
- She enforced employer compliance with agency standards rather than publicly confronting them.
Smith Standards Protected Dignity
- Carrie wrote the Smith Employment Agency Standards and Principles to enforce respectful treatment of workers.
- She banned tasks like floor and window cleaning that she considered undignified.