Over the past week or so, you may have come across the trending topic of conversation on social media about the Roman Empire. It seems that many men have a surprising (or maybe not so surprising) obsession with ancient Rome. But amidst this discussion, another intriguing question arises: What historical event captures the attention of women? The sinking of the Titanic, the six wives of Henry VIII, the Salem witch trials, and the tragic end of the Romanov family have all been suggested. However, one disaster that particularly stands out in this conversation is the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which occurred on March 25, 1911, in New York City, was one of the most devastating industrial disasters in the United States. In just 15 minutes, it claimed the lives of 146 garment workers, with 123 of them being women as young as 14 years old.
Mary Anne Trasciatti, president of the Remember the Triangle Fire Coalition and director of Hofstra University’s labor studies program, explained, “This fire happened in a state-of-the-art clothing factory in Greenwich Village, and most people who passed by every day had no idea about the tragedy unfolding inside. Many workers were crammed into a space unfit for so many, and a fire broke out.”
The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory occupied the top three floors of a 10-story building near Washington Square Park. While there were multiple exits, one stairway was quickly engulfed in flames, and another was locked, effectively trapping the workers inside. As they desperately tried to escape, a poorly constructed fire escape collapsed under their weight, resulting in their deaths. Faced with no other option, many workers jumped from the high windows to avoid being consumed by smoke and fire.
Trasciatti emphasized, “Because of inadequate safety measures and locked doors, these workers could not reach safety, resulting in the unnecessary loss of 146 lives. It was a horrific tragedy that should have never happened.” However, unlike many other labor disasters, this devastating event led to significant positive change. Trasciatti stated, “People were outraged, especially since so many young girls lost their lives. Seeing them jump out of windows made it impossible to ignore the conditions inside these buildings any longer. Action was taken, and they succeeded. They fought for workplace protections and paved the way for stronger unions.”
Historians often attribute the extent of the tragedy to the Triangle Waist Company’s anti-union stance. Trasciatti explained, “The locked doors were meant to prevent workers from gathering together, taking breaks, and keeping union organizers out. They justified this practice by claiming concern over material theft.” The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory workers had previously participated in the Uprising of the 20,000, a massive labor strike in 1909, but they were unsuccessful in securing union recognition. Trasciatti added, “If they had been part of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union, they would have had safety measures in place that might have saved their lives. Unfortunately, without union representation, these measures were not implemented.”
The significance of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire still resonates today, particularly with women, including Mary Anne Trasciatti. She shared, “What struck me about this story was how young and innocent the workers were. Many of them were young women just like us. That’s why this story connects with so many young women today. They can see themselves in those workers.” The 123 women who perished ranged in age from 14 to 43.
These young female workers were a substantial part of the garment industry labor force in the early 20th century for various reasons that still hold relevance today. Trasciatti explained, “Women were cheaper labor, which meant more profit for the bosses. Their wages were lower compared to men because their work was seen as supplementary income, not primary. The commitment level was considered lower too since they were more likely to leave the job if they got married or had children.” Additionally, women were seen as better suited for the delicate sewing work required in garment factories, a skill commonly held within Italian and Jewish communities that many of these workers belonged to.
Trasciatti spoke to the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and its impact on immigrant families, stating, “Many of the victims were immigrant workers with strong family ties, making the loss even more devastating.” Numerous sisters lost their lives that day, and the Maltese family lost a mother and two daughters, wiping out the entire female members of the immediate family.
Despite being over 100 years since the fire, its legacy can still be felt today. Trasciatti shared how her mother, who was a garment worker herself, always felt safe at work because of what had happened to those workers at Triangle. She expressed, “We have improved workplace safety with emergency exits, fire escapes, sprinklers, and fire drills due to the sacrifices of those workers.”
Trasciatti emphasized that the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire serves as a reminder that the government takes action to protect its citizens when demanded. Frances Perkins, who witnessed the fire firsthand, became the first female secretary of labor under President Franklin D. Roosevelt and implemented significant reforms to protect workers. Trasciatti stated, “We must remember Triangle because it reminds us that we can demand better conditions and create positive change.”
The importance of workplace safety and dignity remains relevant in 2023, as labor strikes and concerns over poor working conditions persist. Trasciatti stated, “Immigrant workers are still seen as expendable, and they are often hired for dangerous jobs. But we need to remind ourselves that no group of workers is expendable. Immigrant workers contribute valuable contributions to our communities.”
Today’s labor activists draw inspiration from the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the bravery of those who fought for worker safety. Trasciatti acknowledged, “There may be a misconception that such incidents no longer occur, but just this past summer, we saw workers losing their lives due to lack of breaks or proper conditions in their workplaces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, workers also perished due to inadequate protective equipment.” The garment industry continues to pose risks to workers, with incidents happening overseas. In 2012, a factory fire in Bangladesh claimed the lives of at least 117 people, and months later, a garment factory building collapse killed over 1,100 workers.
On the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, Kalpona Akter, a Bangladeshi labor activist and former garment worker, declared, “In Bangladesh, it’s not 2011 — it’s 1911.” Trasciatti concluded, “We must remember that when we demand change, the government can take action to improve our lives and keep us safe.”
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