100th Anniversary of Tragedy-A Small Part of Women and Labor Movement

March 25, 1911 was probably like any other work day for many women in New York's Garment District in Greenwich Village. At that time immigrant women worked nine hour days plus seven hours on Saturdays. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory produced women's blouses. The factory was located in the Asch Building, now known as the Brown Building and is now designated a National Historic Monument. Prior to the World Trade Center attacks in 2011, the Triangle Factory Fire was the greatest workplace tragedy in New York and changed the course of history by shedding light on workplace injustices that occurred throughout the country.

The fire killed 146 primarily young, immigrant Jewish and Italian women ranging in age from 16-23. Many jumped to their death from the 8-10 floors. Unable to exit the building due to managers having locked the stairwell and exits.The cause of the fire was thought to have been a match or cigarette butt thrown in a scrap basket.Although smoking was banned in the factory some were thought to sneak cigarettes and exhaling smoke in their lapels to avoid detection.

Many of the laws, unions and also what worker's compensation we now have today were established because of this event.

Frances Perkins, who was the first woman to hold a U.S. cabinet post as Secretary of Labor under President Franklin Roosevelt was witness to this fire and said her commitment to reforming labor laws was a top priority.

I have always been a little bit on the fence about union representation. Although I feel it is important, I also feel that the original purpose of unions has been forgotten. While as a civil service employee, I had the opportunity to be on both sides represented and non-represented. I have always wanted the choice. No one likes to be forced to do anything. Times have changed and unfortunately alot of the benefits unions provided in the past are unattainable in the world economy of today. I think while it is important that we have them I also think that worker's will have to depend less on what their employer can provide for them and do more for themselves. Compromise is the key to unions success.

As a woman I still struggle for a choice in everything I do on a daily basis. I appreciate what those before me have done and hope to help continue the fight on issues that effect women today.

For 17 year old Tillie who's tombstone is pictured, her life was cut short by an event that shouldn't have happened but because of it millions of women after her will continue to forge ahead to make the workplace and the world a better place for many women to come.