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Sadie T. M. Alexander: Black Women and a "Taste of Freedom in the Economic World"

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  • Nina Banks

Abstract

The employment history of African American women is notable because of their higher labor force participation rates compared to other women in the US. This essay discusses Sadie T. M. Alexander's analysis of Black women and work based on her 1930s speeches and writings. Alexander assessed Black women workers' contribution to Black American living standards and national output. A proponent of women's gainful employment and economic independence, Alexander's views on the benefits of industrial employment for women and family life stood in stark contrast to White social welfare reformers who discouraged maternal employment in favor of households with male breadwinners. Alexander criticized the unequal treatment of Black and White women under protective labor law, particularly with respect to domestic servants' exclusion from New Deal minimum wage and maximum hour protections. The legacy of discriminatory policies continues to affect the economic status of African American women today through racial disparities in social welfare provisions and worker benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Nina Banks, 2022. "Sadie T. M. Alexander: Black Women and a "Taste of Freedom in the Economic World"," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 36(4), pages 205-220, Fall.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:jecper:v:36:y:2022:i:4:p:205-20
    DOI: 10.1257/jep.36.4.205
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Goldin, Claudia, 1988. "Maximum Hours Legislation and Female Employment: A Reassessment," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 96(1), pages 189-205, February.
    2. Abbott, Edith, 1910. "Women in Industry: A Study in American Economic History," History of Economic Thought Books, McMaster University Archive for the History of Economic Thought, number abbott1910.
    3. Nina Banks, 2008. "The Black Worker, Economic Justice and the Speeches of Sadie T.M. Alexander," Review of Social Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 66(2), pages 139-161.
    4. Barbara Jones, 1985. "Black women and labor force participation: An analysis of sluggish growth rates," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 14(2), pages 11-31, December.
    5. Ellen Mutari & Marilyn Power & Deborah Figart, 2002. "Neither Mothers Nor Breadwinners: African-American Women's Exclusion From US Minimum Wage Policies, 1912-1938," Feminist Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(2), pages 37-61.
    6. Goldin, Claudia, 1977. "Female Labor Force Participation: The Origin of Black and White Differences, 1870 and 1880," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 37(1), pages 87-108, March.
    7. Nina Banks, 2005. "Black women and racial advancement: The economics of Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 33(1), pages 9-24, September.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • B31 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - History of Economic Thought: Individuals - - - Individuals
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J15 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Minorities, Races, Indigenous Peoples, and Immigrants; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • K31 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Labor Law
    • N32 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - U.S.; Canada: 1913-

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