Calumet and communities across the Upper Peninsula came together on August 22 to celebrate the legacy of Anna “Big Annie” Clemenc and the workers who helped shape Copper Country history.
CALUMET, Mich. (WZMQ) – The centerpiece of the celebration was the official unveiling of a new bronze statue of Big Annie at Calumet’s Greenspace Park. The monument pays tribute to Clemenc, a leader during the 1913 Copper Strike, and to the generations of workers who fought for better wages, safer working conditions, and a better life for their families.
The day included the statue dedication, a parade, and live music, allowing the community to celebrate Big Annie’s story and the lasting impact of the strike on the labor movement.
“We are incredibly grateful to all of the donors whose generosity made this statue project possible and will help preserve Big Annie’s legacy for generations to come,” said Anita Campbell, Ceremony and Unveiling Team Big Annie lead. “We are especially grateful to the State of Michigan for seeing the value of Annie’s story to our nation and awarding us a $50,000 America 250 grant in support of this important project.”
Big Annie became known for bringing people together during the 1913 strike. At a time when women could not vote and had little political voice, she helped organize women, families, and miners as they pushed for better wages and working conditions.
“Big Annie Clemenc galvanized women, wives, mothers, sons, and daughters to come together and fight for their families at a time when women had no vote and no voice,” said Vada Riederich, Donor and Volunteer Team Big Annie lead. “One hundred and thirteen years later, we carry her voice now and into the future. Calumet and beyond can be proud that the American flag is still picked up and carried forward.”
The 1913 Copper Country strike helped bring about changes in the mining industry, including the introduction of eight-hour workdays at many mines. Over the decades, organized labor went on to fight for the 40-hour workweek, weekends, better wages and employee benefits.
Organizers say that history remains relevant today, as working families continue to deal with rising costs for groceries, gas, and other necessities.
“This statue is a testament to the resilience and the rights won by generations of workers in the Upper Peninsula,” said Adam Saari, president of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2. “Today, we championed the strength of the people who fought for more safety, dignity, and fairer wages — but the job isn’t done.”
Saari also encouraged people interested in better wages and benefits to consider joining a local union or entering an apprenticeship, while encouraging businesses to hire union workers.
Union workers earn about 18 percent more on average than non-union workers, according to the figures cited by organizers. They also point to research showing that higher union participation can raise wages across an area and reduce income inequality.
“In honoring Big Annie, we recognize that the fight for workers’ rights is an essential part of our history and will continue to shape our future,” said Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “Her grit, courage, and determination are an inspiration as we continue to fight for a more just and fair future for all working people.”
The Big Annie Statue project took nearly four years and raised $150,000 to make the monument a reality. The project was a collaborative effort between the Big Annie Statue committee and the Keweenaw Community Foundation.
The organizers say the statue will now stand as a lasting reminder of Big Annie’s courage, the history of the 1913 strike, and the role U.P. workers have played in shaping the region and the labor movement.
Video of the ceremony and statue unveiling is available from the Michigan AFL-CIO.
For more information about the Big Annie Statue project, visit the project’s website at BigAnnieStatue.com.
