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1908
- 2008
100 years since 15,000 women marched
for better conditions |
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Why
bread and roses?
Great
unrest and critical debate was occurring amongst women.
Women's oppression and inequality was spurring women to
become more vocal and active in campaigning for change.
On March 8, 1908, 15,000 women workers from the garment
and textile industry marched, echoing the demands of their
sisters 50 years earlier: shorter working hours, an end
to child labour; safe working conditions, and equal pay.
Their slogan- " Bread and Roses"
sang through the streets: "Bread", the symbol
of economic security, and " Roses", the symbol
for a better life.
Within a few years of their "Bread
and Roses" campaign, the first women's labour union
in America was organized.
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Bread
and Roses
(Lyrics: James Oppenheim;
Music: Martha Coleman or Caroline Kohlsaat) (1910s)
As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing: "Bread and roses! Bread
and roses!"
As we come marching, marching, we battle
too for men,
For they are women's children, and we mother them again.
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;
Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give
us roses!
As we come marching, marching, unnumbered
women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.
Yes, it is bread we fight for -- but we fight for roses,
too!
As we come marching, marching, we bring
the greater days.
The rising of the women means the rising of the race.
No more the drudge and idler -- ten that toil where one
reposes,
But a sharing of life's glories: Bread and roses! Bread
and roses!
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