Teamster ‘Bakerettes’ Were the Pride of Massachusetts Local

In March 1944, Local 404 was featured in that month’s International Teamster magazine. The Springfield, Mass. local was being highlighted because it had a significant number of women among the membership. While women were entering the work force in growing numbers during World War II, Local 404’s total of 15 women among its bakery drivers would have been unusual for the 1940s.

Known by the union as “bakerettes,” the women drove for two companies, with 12 driving for Hathaway Bakeries and the remaining three working for the General Baking Company. According to Local 404 secretary B.E. Naylor, the four drivers in the photograph had agreed to have their picture taken when they all came to vote in an election at the local.

In describing why the union sent the picture to the International Teamster, Naylor wrote that “It seems to some of us that a bit of the feminine touch would do no harm to the staid old International Teamster and with that thought in mind I am sending a picture of four of our ‘bakerettes’ who are doing a fine job on the retail bakery routes of two of the large companies in this area.”

Three of the four drivers pictured were in their second year of employment, and one of them was also enlisted in the Marine Corps. And just like the rest of Local 404’s contingent of female drivers, they were all making good sales records on their routes. Naylor also complimented the women on their commitment to getting the job done even during a bitter New England storm.