She described her lawsuits and struggle in a self - published autobiographical book , How to Become a Union Camerawoman ( 1976 ) .
Following a prolonged legal struggle in 1973 , Maple became the first African - American woman admitted to the New York camera operators union .
Maple described Maple 's lawsuits and struggle in a self - published autobiographical book , How to Become a Union Camerawoman ( 1976 ) .
Following a prolonged legal struggle in 1973 , Maple became the first African - American woman admitted to the New York camera operators union .