Esther Eggersten Peterson dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of workers, women, and consumers. For more than fifty years, she brought her political savviness and dedication to the table by helping to legislation, or laws, that would improve the lives of others.
In Short
She helped secure equal pay for women, fought for truth in advertising, and got companies to add nutrition labels to their products. Peterson’s work continues to protect the rights of workers and consumers today.
More of the Story
Esther Eggersten Peterson was born to Danish immigrants in Provo, Utah, in 1906. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in physical education in 1927 and earned a master’s degree from Columbia University in 1930. She married Oliver Peterson in 1931. They moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she taught at a preparatory school and volunteered for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). Peterson became an activist against oppressive attitudes and policies while in Boston.
Taking a Stand against Segregation
Peterson noticed that there were no African American girls in her YWCA classes. She soon found out that the YWCA had adopted a segregation policy, which means that African Americans were not allowed to participate in their programs because of their skin color and race. Peterson protested segregation and pointed out that the rule contradicted the YWCA’s dedication to justice and equality. Eventually, the YWCA changed its policies so African Americans could join the institution.
Labor Unions
Peterson learned from her students the importance of labor activism. One night several students did not go to her class because they were on strike against the unfair pay they received from their company. When Peterson was a little girl, some adults told her that strikers and unions were dangerous and wrong. However, when she learned her students planned to strike, she realized she needed to rethink what others told her about strikes. That night Peterson visited the home of one of her students and found that all of the children, including a three-year-old, were working to make ends meet. When she saw how little companies paid her students, she understood why they wanted to stand up for their rights. The next day, Peterson joined her students and the other workers at what became known as the “Heartbreakers Strike.” Her decision to join the strikers inspired her to become an activist for workers, women, and consumer rights from that point forward.
A Lifetime Advocate
Peterson moved to Washington, DC and became a lobbyist for a labor union. She ran the Women’s Bureau in the Department of Labor for presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Peterson was also the Assistant Secretary of Labor and a special assistant for Consumer Affairs. In all, she worked for four presidents! Her work involved requiring clothing companies to place a “how to wash” tag on each product, holding companies accountable for false advertising, and making sure that food companies put nutrition labels on their products. She helped pass a law that required companies to pay women the same as men for the same job. Her work continues to have a positive impact on American lives today.
She Made Life Better
Peterson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her over fifty years of work, which is the highest national award a civilian can get. She worked tirelessly for worker and consumer rights. She balanced the interests of workers, employers, and the government. Many of the consumer standards that we have today began with Peterson’s hard work and innovative mind!
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