Profiles of Women in the Labor Movement

Instead of our regular first Monday profile of a women in science, for Labor Day we’d like to acknowledge all of the pioneers of the labor movement in the United States that led to improvements in employment conditions for workers such as the eight-hour workday, safe working conditions, and minimum wage. Many women were instrumental in advocating for these changes, and we have pulled together some online resources below to highlight some of their stories.

As I was putting these resources together, two stories caught my attention; one about a woman labor leader (Lucy Parsons) and one about a tragic (and preventable) event (The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire).

Lucy Parsons (1851-1942)

Lucy Gonzales Parsons caught my attention, mostly because I had never heard of her. Born to an enslaved woman in Virginia in 1851 and raised in Texas, the black self-proclaimed anarchist, socialist, journalist, and labor organizer was once described as “more dangerous than a thousand rioters.” She was married to Albert Parsons, a white, former Confederate soldier with political aspirations, and together they became involved in radical socialist politics. Mr. Parsons was executed for a bombing in Chicago’s Haymarket Square in 1886 after an organized labor demonstration, despite a lack of evidence. After his death, Lucy became infamous for her fiery speeches and writing condemning capitalism. In 1905, she was involved in founding the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and remained vocal until her death in 1942. If you would like to learn more about this fascinating woman, a biography (Goddess of Anarchy: The Life and Times of Lucy Parsons, American Radical by Jacqueline Jones) shines light on her accomplishments and contradictions.

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (March 25, 1911)

A particularly tragic event in the labor movement’s history, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in New York City, highlights some of the occupational hazards that were frequent before organized unions. When a fire broke out in the factory on March 25, 1911, doors to the stairwells were locked, a common practice to prevent unauthorized breaks and alleged theft. Many of the trapped workers jumped from the eighth and ninth floors of the 10-story building to try and escape the flames. In all, 146 of the 500 employees, 123 of whom were women as young as 14, perished in the fire. The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union proposed an official day of mourning and led protests in the streets. As a result of the tragedy, the New York Factory Investigating Commission was created and the American Society of Safety Professionals was founded. Several new laws were also passed addressing fire safety, factory inspection, employment and sanitation but enforcement was limited. There are several books written about this tragedy including several personal accounts, a list of a few can be found here.