Thursday, September 6, 2018

Love of Labor

Frances Perkins watched in horror as a Manhattan building was engulfed in flames and workers began jumping from windows in an attempt to save their lives.   On that day, 146 people died, ranging in age from 14 to 43.  The building was the Asch Building in the garment district of New York, and the year was 1911.  The Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire marked the worst industrial disaster in the history of the city, and one of the worst in the history of the country.   Frances had gained statewide attention serving as the head of the New York Consumer's League, but after serving in several state positions, she was named as the Secretary of Labor under Franklin Roosevelt in 1933.  She was the first female cabinet member to serve under a president, and maintained that position for 12 years, longer than any other Secretary of Labor.  Frances devoted her entire life to improving working conditions for everyone including workplace safety and child labor laws.  Her love of labor helped pave the way for better working conditions for all of us.  Click here for the rest of the photo.

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