Santiago Iglesias Educational Society: A Beginning

In 1958 the New York City Central Labor Council, the AFL-CIO, in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local union #3 participated in the study tour of Puerto Rico. The reason for this trip was to learn about the problems affecting Puerto Ricans of the island so that with that knowledge they could better serve the needs of Puerto Ricans in the United States. Seventy-seven delegates representing industry, commerce, workers, and leaders of the Labor movement participated in this trip. One of the delegates was Harry Van Arsdale Jr. The President of the New York City Central Labor Council, business manager of Local Union #3 I.B.E.W., a champion of the cause of working people, a truly concerned labor statesman and, above all, a friend of the Hispanic community. Also in the group with thirty active Hispanic members of Local Union #3, representing different divisions and industries. While in

Puerto Rico, most of the conferences were held at the Santiago Iglesias Hall, named on behave of the founder of the Labor movement of the island, Santiago Iglesias Patin. After returning from Puerto Rico, Mr. Van Arsdale Jr. suggested that those Hispanic members of the local that went on the trip form a Hispanic society and that it be named after Santiago Iglesias Patin. And so, at the end of 1958 the Santiago Iglesias Educational Society, Inc. was founded.