Walter Reuther
Activist
A leader of the United Auto Workers, he turned the labor union into a major force in American business, culture, and politics.
He was an apprentice tool and dye maker at 19 years of age, and after going on to college he spent time touring the Soviet Union learning how their production process works.
He led sit-down strikes of UAW workers, preventing the automobile companies to bringing in replacements to work in their stead and negotiated annual raises, cost-of-living adjustments, and health benefits.
He grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia and his father was also a socialist, who emigrated from Germany.
His death in a plane crash was thought suspicious, especially in light of J. Edgar Hoover's refusal to turn over documents relating to the FBI surveillance of him Reuther.