Near Hanover in Grant County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890

Mine Mill & Smelter

— (1951-1952) —

Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 6, 2010

1. Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 Marker

Inscription.
After eight failed negotiating sessions and the expiration of their labor contract, Mexican-American workers at nearby Empire Zinc mine struck for wage and benefit equality. When an injunction prohibited union members from picketing, the women - wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters - took their places on the line.

The "striking" women persevered despite life threatening situations, violence, incarceration and tension at home. Their determination made national news and resulted in the popular documentary film, Salt of the Earth. These courageous women not only survived in solidarity until the strike ended, but they commanded recognition as well as respect.

Erected by New Mexico Historic Preservation Division.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Labor Unions • Women. In addition, it is included in the New Mexico Women’s Historic Marker Initiative series list.

Location. 32° 48.167′ N, 108° 7.283′ W. Marker is near Hanover, New Mexico, in Grant County. It is on State Road 152 at milepost 2.3, 2.3 miles east of U.S. 180, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5272 Highway 152, Hanover NM 88041, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest New Mexico. It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kneeling Nun (a few steps from this marker); Fort Bayard (approx. 2.1 miles away); Santa Rita Copper Mines (approx. 2.3 miles away); Fort Bayard - 1866-1900 / Fort Bayard National Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away); Reclaiming the Land (approx. 2.8 miles away); Modern Mining & Processing (approx. 2.8 miles away); Santa Rita Copper Mine (approx. 2.8 miles away); The Companies & People (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hanover.

<i>back of</i> Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 6, 2010

2. back of Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 Marker

Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 and Kneeling Nun Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 6, 2010

3. Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 and Kneeling Nun Markers

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 6, 2010

4. Ladies Auxiliary of Local 890 and Kneeling Nun Markers

Credits. This page was last revised on October 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,403 times since then and 36 times this year. Last updated on July 30, 2025, by Bill Wingate of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.