Margaret Dreier Robins

Margaret Dreier was born in Brooklyn in 1868. Her father, Theodor Dreier, had arrived in the United States from Bremen, Germany, in 1849. He settled in New York and eventually became a partner in an important iron company. He married his cousin, Dorothea Dreier, in 1864, and the couple had four daughters. As well as Margaret there was Dorothea Dreier (1870-1923), Mary Dreier (1875-1963) and Katherine Dreier (1877-1952).

Margaret attended George Brackett's School in Brooklyn Heights but none of the children were allowed to go to college. As a young woman she suffered from severe migraines and in 1894 was diagnosed as suffering from a "strained heart", a malady that brought with it fatigue, anxiety and depression. Unable to leave the home, she spent much of her time reading and was greatly influenced by the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson.

In 1902 Margaret met the social reformer Josephine Lowell, who was the leader of the Woman's Municipal League (WML). Lowell told Margaret that: "The interests of the working people are of paramount importance, simply because they are the majority of the whole people, and the indifference and ignorance and harshness felt and expressed against them by so many good people is simply awful to me and I must try and help them, if I can." Margaret was convinced by Lowell's arguments and became a member of the WML.

Margaret was introduced to members of other reform groups and in December, 1904, joined the Women's Trade Union League (WTUL). Other members included Mary Kenney O'Sullivan, Jane Addams, Mary McDowell, Margaret Haley, Helen Marot, Agnes Nestor, Florence Kelley and Sophonisba Breckinridge.

In 1905 Margaret heard Raymond Robins deliver a lecture on the social gospel in a Brooklyn church. Robins was the brother of Elizabeth Robins, the famous actress, playwright and campaigner for women's rights in Britain. Margaret married Robins and for a while lived at the Hull House settlement in Chicago

Margaret became a leading figure in the Women's Trade Union League and served as its president between 1907 and 1922. Robins moved to Florida in 1925 and remained active in progressive politics until her death in 1945.