Education
In 1938, she graduated from Eastern Michigan University (formerly Michigan Norman School) with a degree in physical education.
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Olga M. Madar
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Born in Sykesville, Pennsylvania, Madar moved to Detroit, Michigan during the Great Depression. After graduating from Northeastern High School in 1933, Madar started her career in the auto industry in 1933 on the Chrysler assembly line. In 1941, she joined the United Auto Workers Local 50 while working at Ford’s Willow Run bomber plant.
In 1947, Madar led a crusade to end racial discrimination in the men and women's bowling association.
Victory came in 1952 when the white-only membership policy was removed. She was also active in organizing community recreation programs.
Madar was named to the United Auto Workers International Executive Board in 1966. She was also the first woman elected as the union’s vice president in 1970.
In 1974, Madar was the force behind the creation of the Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW), a nonprofit organization for trade union women affiliated with American Federation of Labor-Congress-Chief Information Officer. The CLUW was composed largely of women who felt disempowered in their individual unions.
During the organization"s first convention in 1974, Madar was elected its national president
