From Lewis Hine to Milton Rogovin, social documentary photographers have used their cameras to celebrate the contributions of workers to America and advocate for fair conditions. #LaborDay

For his “Working People” series (1976-1987), Rogovin photographed steelworkers in and around his hometown of Buffalo, New York.

Each individual was photographed at work in a steel mill or furnace, as well as at home with their families.

Oral historian Michael Frisch recorded the subjects speaking about their work and lives, and their words were later published with the images in the book “Portraits in Steel.”

Doris McKinney worked at Republic Steel as a burner. In her interview she revealed that she wore her hair in rollers underneath her helmet because "...even though you’re working in a man’s job, doing a man’s job, when you take off all of this here, you still want to be a woman.”

Rogovin forged a bond with many of the workers he met, returning to photograph them again in 1987.