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WOMEN, SONG and the LABOR MOVEMENT II: THE 1912 LAWRENCE, MA TEXTILE STRIKE

 

John Steinbeck said, “We learn a great deal about people by listening to their music. Listen to their songs, for into the songs go the anger, fears and frustrations, the hopes and aspirations.”

 

I have created a series of videos that highlight the role of women in the labor movement. Each video portrays an event and includes a song that is related to the event or to the labor movement in general.  

 

The subjects of this video, the second in the series, are the 1912 Lawrence, MA textile strike, the women mill workers and the song, “Bread and Roses. “

 

Charles R. Hale

 

millwomen

 

11 Replies to “WOMEN, SONG and the LABOR MOVEMENT II: THE 1912 LAWRENCE, MA TEXTILE STRIKE”

  1. John Sponcia says:

    Another fabulous job, Charlie, of researching, coordinating facts, and putting it all to music and narrative to make this one of your best photo-journalism projects yet. Most of us probably knew nothing of this strike so keep educating, Professor Hale!
    Jack

    1. Thanks so much, Jack. The stories of women in labor abound. I’m on a great learning journey myself.

  2. lorenzo rosen says:

    Bravo Charlie!! Another wonderful job. Their song was heard!!! Power to their voices……

    1. Thanks, Lorenzo. These women were incredibly brave and made an enormous impact. Brava!

  3. Thankyou so very much Charlie!!! Inspirational women and an inspirational story and so beautifully told.
    My grandmother marched in support of the striking workers, on the Waterfront in Port Adelaide, South Australia during the Great Depression of the 1920’s/1930’s.
    One day I will find the photograph of that special constable/business owner on horseback and beating my Grandmother over the head as she protected her daughter/my mother, in her arms, from the battering.

    1. Thanks so much, Catherine. And when you find that photograph, send it along. Good luck.

  4. Marcia Reed says:

    Another haunting episode. I was transfixed by the story.

    1. Thanks, Marcia.

  5. Hi Charles,
    Really like your Steinbeck quote and Women, Song and the Labour Movement piece. I have just played at the Residence of President Michael D Higgins for a commemoration of the great “Dublin Lock Out” in 1913 (The song goes … In Dublin City in 1913 sung by many including Luke Kelly). I have been asked to join several high ranking musicians, poets and actors for an event in Liberty Hall in Dublin on September 22 for another event commemorating the events of that time and specifically based on a poem by WB Yeats entitled ” September 13″. I have been asked to sing “Bread and Roses” and I must immediately find a version and learn it as it is not in my current repertoire.
    I may see you in November, I hope so, but will stay in contact.
    Good luck with your work and hopefully I will go and see Seamus Scanlon at Charlie Byrne’s
    Best
    Mary

  6. Thank you so much Charles. Beautifully done, very inspiring. In two weeks I am moving into a loft in one of those restored mills in Lowell. It is great to know this history. I will be thinking of these women and children when I walk the cobblestone streets and canals.
    Best, Joanna

  7. Marilyn Hazard Barton says:

    Thank you Charles for this journey of woman who were not afraid to stand their ground and make their voices heard.

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