Rose Schneiderman
Rose Schneiderman
=====================
Full Name and Common Aliases
--------------------------------
Rose Schneiderman was born Rachel Schneiderman on November 6, 1882, in Drohobycz, Poland (now part of Ukraine). She went by the name Rose throughout her life.
Birth and Death Dates
-------------------------
Born: November 6, 1882
Died: April 1, 1970
Nationality and Profession(s)
--------------------------------
Rose Schneiderman was an American labor leader, socialist, and women's rights activist. She was naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1907.
Early Life and Background
-----------------------------
Schneiderman immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of 16 to escape poverty and antisemitism in Poland. She settled in New York City's Lower East Side, where she found work as a seamstress. Schneiderman soon became involved in the labor movement, driven by her own experiences with exploitation and her desire for economic justice.
Major Accomplishments
---------------------------
Schneiderman played a pivotal role in shaping American labor laws and women's rights policies. Some of her notable achievements include:
Leading the Women's Trade Union League (WTUL): Schneiderman served as president of the WTUL, which advocated for workers' rights, equal pay, and better working conditions.
Advocating for Labor Laws: Schneiderman was a key figure in the fight for labor legislation. She testified before Congress on numerous occasions to push for laws protecting workers' rights.
Notable Works or Actions
------------------------------
Some of Schneiderman's notable works and actions include:
The 'Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire' and its Aftermath: In 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 workers. Schneiderman was instrumental in organizing protests and advocating for improved labor laws following this tragedy.
The Women's Labor Movement and the 24-Hour Workday Campaign: Schneiderman played a leading role in the campaign to reduce the standard workweek from 60 hours to 48 hours.
Impact and Legacy
-------------------------
Rose Schneiderman's tireless advocacy has had a lasting impact on American labor laws and women's rights. Her determination, leadership skills, and commitment to justice have inspired generations of activists.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
--------------------------------------------
Schneiderman's quotes are often cited because they capture her unwavering dedication to social justice:
> "I would rather live on my two feet than on my knees."
Quotes by Rose Schneiderman
Then came a big strike. About 100 girls went out. The result was a victory, which netted us – I mean the girls – $2 increase in our wages on the average.
Surely these women won’t lose any more of their beauty and charm by putting a ballot in a ballot box once a year than they are likely to lose standing in foundries or laundries all year round. There is no harder contest than the contest for bread, let me tell you that.
What the woman who labors wants is the right to live, not simply exist — the right to life as the rich woman has the right to life, and the sun and music and art. You have nothing that the humblest worker has not a right to have also. The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too. Help, you women of privilege, give her the ballot to fight with.
Surely these women won't lose any more of their beauty and charm by putting a ballot in a ballot box once a year than they are likely to lose standing in foundries or laundries all year round. There is no harder contest than the contest for bread, let me tell you that.
To me, the labor movement was never just a way of getting higher wages. What appealed to me was the spiritual side of a great cause that created fellowship. You wanted the girl or the man who worked beside you to be treated just as well as you were, and an injury to one was the concern of all.
The life of men and women is so cheap and property is so sacred. There are so many of us for one job it matters little if 146 of us are burned to death.
Today, for many people, being a union member simply means paying dues, but in the early days there were so few of us that if a majority of the members were not active, the union ceased to exist.
