1968
William Birthright
Indiana
Mr. Birthright started barbering in 1904, in Nashville, Tenn. Once the barbers union came into being, he became a member and went on to serve as secretary-treasurer, vice president, and president of his local. Later he became secretary of the Tennessee Federation of Labor, a position he held for 15 years. He was also a member of the Joint Legislative and Political Committee for the State Federation and Railroad Brotherhoods.
From 1918 to 1920 he served as an organizer for the American Federation of Labor. He was elected to the General Executive Board of the Journeymen Barbers International Union in 1924, and held several executive positions with the union, and became its president and secretary-treasurer in 1936.
In 1940, Birthright became a member of the Executive Council of the American Federation of Labor, and in 1946 was appointed by President Truman to the National Wage Stabilization Board as the representative of the AFL. Mr. Birthright retained his position as president and secretary-treasurer of the JBIU until his retirement in 1963. He was inducted into the Barber Hall of Fame in 1968.