The Chorus Equity Association was created on August 12, 1919, in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

during the strike by the

Actors' Equity Association The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly called Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American trade union, labor union representing those who work in Theatre, live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions w ...

. After

Florenz Ziegfeld Florenz Edward Ziegfeld Jr. (; March 21, 1867 – July 22, 1932) was an American Broadway impresario, notable for his series of theatrical revues, the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' (1907–1931), inspired by the '' Folies Bergère'' of Paris. He al ...

revealed that he was joining the Producing Managers' Association, the chorus girls in his

Ziegfeld Follies The ''Ziegfeld Follies'' were a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934, 1936, 1943, and 1957. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as '' The Ziegfeld Foll ...

created their own union, with the help of a substantial donation from the superstar actress and former chorus girl Lillian Russell.

Marie Dressler Leila Marie Koerber (November 9, 1868 – July 28, 1934), known professionally as Marie Dressler, was a Canadian-born stage- and screen-actress and comedian, popular in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood in early silent film, silent an ...

, another former chorus girl who had gone on to be a major star on the stage, was elected the association's first president. She led them to join the strike, spearheading a march down Broadway in solidarity with Actors' Equity. The Chorus Equity Association merged into the

in 1955.

References

Entertainment industry unions Actors' Equity Association Trade unions established in 1919 Trade unions disestablished in 1955 {{US-trade-union-stub