Workers

Women workers at the Tomioka Silk Mill, following the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, transitioned from symbols of pathos to active campaigners for labor rights. The fire, which occurred under oppressive factory conditions—including locked doors to prevent theft and union contact—sparked a wave of activism that led to significant reforms in industrial worker safety and labor legislation, particularly during the New Deal era. This chapter highlights how these women's legacies were strategically commemorated to celebrate advancements in labor rights, contrasting their initial portrayal with their later roles as radical activists.

Crozier-De Rosa, S., & Mackie, V. (2018). Workers. Remembering Women’s Activism, 125–160. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429456022-4