The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire is almost unbearable to think about. That tragedy—no, that mass murder—was pathos to end all pathos. It changed everything in the United States. In particular, it aimed one woman like a flaming arrow: a young Massachusetts labor investigator and activist named Frances Perkins.
I wondered the same since she would not talk about it at all. I feel for all the children slaving in mines, and now reading that the work age may be lowered to 14 in some states.
It also bothers me very much that state legislatures are writing and passing "laws" that allow employment of children. I wonder if the federal government could override these state "laws".
I hate to think that in other parts of the world, those women and children making our clothes, face similar situations as these women did in 1911. My maternal grandmother left school around 1904 and had to work in a sewing factory to support her family when her father died. She was only 14. When I tried to get information from her, she told me she didn't remember where she worked, maybe she blocked it out. Thank you Jody for always putting your heart into your writing <3
Montana, yes! That thought haunts me, too. And the images of children slaving in mines for the minerals used in our electronics. I wonder if your grandmother worked in the Triangle factory.
I wondered the same since she would not talk about it at all. I feel for all the children slaving in mines, and now reading that the work age may be lowered to 14 in some states.
Thank you, Jody, for writing this.
It also bothers me very much that state legislatures are writing and passing "laws" that allow employment of children. I wonder if the federal government could override these state "laws".
Hi Caroline, it looks like they're trying to. The state laws clearly violate federal laws. I don't understand how these states can get away with it.
I do not understand, either.
I hate to think that in other parts of the world, those women and children making our clothes, face similar situations as these women did in 1911. My maternal grandmother left school around 1904 and had to work in a sewing factory to support her family when her father died. She was only 14. When I tried to get information from her, she told me she didn't remember where she worked, maybe she blocked it out. Thank you Jody for always putting your heart into your writing <3
Montana, yes! That thought haunts me, too. And the images of children slaving in mines for the minerals used in our electronics. I wonder if your grandmother worked in the Triangle factory.