A Cloak maker worked in the garment industry,[1] often in an enterprise whose workers were represented by a union.[2]
In the 1920s, there were more than 50,000 people employed as cloakmakers.[2]
Much of this industry was centered in NYC.[3] While most of the cloakmakers were Jewish women,[1]: p.191 [4][5] the next largest group, although much smaller in number, were Italian women.[6][7]
Cloakmakers were a part of those known as clothing-workers, including those who made cloaks, suits and skirts.[2][8]
Other areas where this industry was strong included Chicago[9] and Cincinnati.[10]
Suffragist Theresa Malkiel organized a union of cloakmakers in 1892.[1]: p.191 Other areas of the needle trade[11] were not unionized until years later,[12] of whom in 1912 over 80% were Jewish.[13]
This occupation involved making or repairing garments that contained animal fur. The high end of this profession focused on fur coats. A 1915 New York Times article about 75,000 garment workers said "Cloakmakers take the lead."[15]
The garment industry's strikes were neither rare nor long-lasting.[16][17]