Bethlehem Steel Legacy Community Collection

Donna Clementoni composed "The Millwright's Poison Pillow," a poem about her father-in-law, Mario Clementoni, Sr. He's pictured here with his bride, Mildred, on their honewymoon. Known as “Motts” in his family, he began working at Bethlehem Steel after World War II and spent his entire career at Sparrows Point. He will turn 95 in June 2021. https://www.thebmi.org/millwrights-poison-pillow/

John Washington, pictured here, worked at Bethlehem Steel's Sparrows Point mill from 1944 until his retirement in 1983. He passed away in February at age 98. According to his obituary, "A former coworker reports that John was the first black crane operator in the tin mills. He often suffered the indignities of racism, but his priority was making a decent living to care for his family." Hear more about Mr. Washington and the experiences of other Black steelworkers in a Zoom panel discussion on 4/21 at 7 pm. More info at thebmi.org. Photo courtesy of Ernestine Scott. https://www.thebmi.org/programs-events/black-workers-at-bethlehem-steel/

This photo was taken by Joseph Schenk, a machinist in the Seafarers International Union who served on the ore ships that supplied Sparrows Point. His son, Michael, recalls, "The steel mill could not have functioned without the ore ships. [...] Most American industry would not have existed without the seafarers who moved the raw materials and finished products." Born in Vienna, Austria, he migrated to Baltimore and served on the Liberty Ships built at Sparrows Point during WWII. Photo courtesy of Michael Schenk.

John J. Bohli, Jr. worked at Sparrows Point from 1949 until his retirement in 1981 as a foreman in the pipe mill. He is pictured here in 1960, in the front row on the right, with other staff from the pipe mill. His daughter Barbara recalled, "he had an excellent work ethic and I believe he was proud to be part of Bethlehem Steel. My father was a wonderful husband and raised 10 children." Photo courtesy of Barbara Fitzgerald.