THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FIRE OF 1911

As I look back at March and Womens Heritage Month, I am so pleased that I could read about Annie Liebovitz, Pioneer Women, Carys Grey-Thompson, Lisa Meitner, Rosa Parks, others talked about, and of course Catherine and Jessica, who perhaps touched fewer in numbers than the ladies mentioned above, but were just as important and meaningful in their lives to both families and friends.

However, a different type of heroine comes to mind today; the 146 lives lost in the fire at the Triangle Waist Company in New York City, a 100 years ago tomorrow, March 25, 1911. These young immigrant workers is one of the worst disasters since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. This incident has had great significance to this day because it highlights the inhumane working conditions to which workers can be subjected. The tragedy still dwells in the collective memory of the nation and the victims are still celebrated as martyrs. The fire became a touchstone for the organized labor movement spurred safety laws and shed light on the lives of the young immigrant workers at the turn of the century. Francis Perkins who witnessed the tragedy and later became the first female cabinet member as secretary of Labor, helped enact many of the fire drill laws, occupancy limits in buildings laws and required exit signs, that are still in effect today.

Near closing time on Saturday afternoon, a fir broke out on the top floors of the Asch Building in the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. Within minutes 146 employees had died(some say 18 minutes). The fire tragically illustrated that fire inspections and precautions were inadequate. Doors were locked, ladders were too short and hoses could not reach the ninth floor. Many chose to jump to their deaths rather than to burn alive. Most were young women , some as young as 14 years old, and for the most part recent Italian and Jewish immigrants who had come to the United States to seek a better life but instead face lives of poverty and poor working conditions.

Justice followed in that the owners were acquitted of any wrong doing in spite of the negligence from locked exits and littered rubbish on the floors where the fire started. In fact in civil suits brought, the owners paid a total of 75.00 per life lost.

The fire and its aftermath is widely considered a pivotal moment in history, leading to the transformation of the labor code of New York and to the adoption of safety measures that served as a model for the whole country. Also significant is the work of governmental agencies which adopted measures and monitored conditions.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire remains as a turning point in US History. Countless sate and federal laws were enacted and employers had a new set of guidelines they needed to follow to ensure the safety of their employees/

For those who live in or around New York City, the building still stands as part of New York University and on Friday, observances will be held. There is also a current HBO special as well as numerous print pieces and photographic essays available commemorating the incident...

Thank you.............