J. P. Stevens

John Peters Stevens is widely known as the founder of one of the largest American textile firms. After attending Philips Academy, Stevens relocated to Boston Massachusetts. Here, he worked in the dry goods commission business. He then moved to New York where he established the J.P. Stevens Textile Corporation. Stevens’ grandfather had previously started a textile company and by selling products from this company, Stevens’ company experienced much growth.

The company ran 59 textile plants and employed 27,800. J.P. Stevens Textile Corporation became South Carolina’s third-largest employer. Like many Southern textile companies, the company consistently violated labor laws. There were long work hours and unions were few. The company had fifteen violations brought against them, and on November 30, 1978, many across the US participated in a boycott. It became known as “Justice for J. P. Stevens’ Workers Day.” Seventy-four cities across the US took a stand against one of the largest textile companies. 

Many attempts were made by the union. When a worker would try to get payback, Stevens prolonged the process until it no longer mattered. The union made one more final attempt and won their election, but the company did not sign a contract. After the release of Norma Rae popularity for the cause was reignited.