Via social media, Attorney Ben Crump put me onto this amazing woman!Hattie Canty wasn’t born into power, money, or fame. She was a working-class
Hattie Canty wasn’t born into power, money, or fame. She was a working-class Black woman who fought for justice, dignity, and fair pay for people like herself—hotel housekeepers, dishwashers, cooks, and janitors who kept Las Vegas running. Her story proves that struggling doesn’t mean powerless, and that when working people stand together, they can win.
1. She Came From the Struggle
Hattie Canty was born in 1933 in Alabama, a time and place where Black people had very few rights or opportunities. Like so many others, she grew up knowing that hard work wasn’t a choice—it was survival.
2. She Knew What It Meant to Work Hard for Every Dollar
After moving to Las Vegas, Hattie took on housekeeping jobs in big hotels. These were tough, physical jobs that barely paid enough to live on. But like millions of working-class people, she kept going, because that’s what needed to be done.
3. She Became a Fighter Because She Had No Other Choice
Hattie never planned to be a labor leader. She was focused on raising her eight kids with her husband. But when he passed away, she was left to do it all alone. That’s when she realized that no one was going to fight for her—unless she fought for herself and others like her.
4. She Became the Leader Working People Deserved
In 1990, workers in Las Vegas elected her president of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226—one of the most powerful unions in the country. She took office not as a politician or an executive, but as a woman who had lived the struggle.
5. She Led a Strike That Proved Workers Were Stronger Together
When the Frontier Hotel refused to give workers better wages and job security, Hattie helped lead a strike that lasted six and a half years—one of the longest labor strikes in history. Working-class people, who were told they could never win, stood their ground and won big.
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6. She Believed in Respect, Not Just Paychecks
Hattie didn’t just fight for better wages—she fought for respect. She knew that no matter what job you do, you deserve to be treated like a human being. She stood up for fair schedules, healthcare, and safe working conditions, because she knew that workers’ lives matter.
7. She Built Solidarity Across Races and Backgrounds
Hattie Canty understood that dividing working people keeps them weak. She made sure that Black, Latino, Asian, and immigrant workers stood together against the powerful hotel owners who wanted to keep them poor.
8. She Pushed for Training So Workers Could Grow
Hattie knew that people deserved more than just a job—they deserved a future. She helped create programs so that housekeepers could train to become hotel managers, cooks could become chefs, and dishwashers could move up.
9. She Saw Strength in Struggling People
Hattie once said, “I think if we had more women, particularly housewives, involved in this union, it would be a stronger union. Because that’s what labor is all about—survival, and nobody’s better at survival than housewives.”
She knew that people who struggled, sacrificed, and worked hard every day were the backbone of society.
10. Her Legacy Lives On in Every Worker Who Stands Up for Justice
Hattie passed away in 2012, but the Culinary Workers Union she helped build is still one of the strongest unions in America. Today, hotel workers in Las Vegas have better pay, benefits, and protections because of her work.
Why Her Story Matters to US
Hattie Canty’s story isn’t just about her—it’s about every worker who’s ever felt exhausted, underpaid, and overlooked. She showed that working-class people are powerful when they fight together.
💡 If you’ve ever worked hard for too little, if you’ve ever felt like your job didn’t see your worth, if you’ve ever dreamed of something better—you’re not alone. Hattie fought for you, and her fight isn’t over. 💡
💜Please treat all hospitality staff
humanely and with great respect!🤎
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