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FEMALE WORKERS1)The Harbinger, Female Workers of Lowell (1836)2)Letters of John and Elizabeth Hodgdon (1840)3) Female Industry Association, from the New York Herald (1845)These three articles, to me, come from three different “angles.” However, they ell of the then, new role of women as factory workers in textile mills. Previously, women were the child-bearers, the meal cookers, and all that went with the 19th century version of a “stay at home Mom.” Up until this time there were very few “respectable” jobs for women except perhaps teacher or nurse. Widows, single women, women with dependent family members—had an almost impossible task to make a living in the business world. The Harbinger article discounts what it calls the accounts from persons engaged in the labor reform. It is written from a first person perspective. Apparently the writer or writers personally went to the factories where the women and girls worked, and the boarding houses where they lived to do the piece. They tell a story of girls who are overworked to the point of exhaustion and make practically no wages. They are also threatened with replacement if they complain. The article tells of the windows being closed and the extreme heat and short breaks to which the workers are subjected during their 13 hour work day. This article is obviously “down” on the conditions of the work. The Hodgdon letters to Sarah seemed to be talking to a girl who was just working to earn some money and although never wanted to work there again, was trying to save some money and then go home to her family. In fact, her family seemed to be telling her they hoped she had earned enough to suit her and would soon quit. The letter mentiones that “…it is Mothers opinion..” that she already has made enough money at the job. These letters are almost “upbeat” and are saying, “okay, you’ve made your money now come home.” The Family Industry Association article from 1845 has an entirely different tenor. This is apparently a report of a meeting of many women (the author particularly mentions the young, pretty ones) who are airing their grievances The report tells about women workers coming forward and telling about making $ .10 to $ .18 per day, and others who made similar wages. It was almost as if it was a meeting of a union, or the beginnings of one. These aggrieved female workers were making their voices heard about the conditions and not just accepting them. As with the other articles the women at this “convention” came from the clothing and textile industry. The surprising thing is that it was suggested at this meeting that the women seek jobs formerly held by men and could then make better money. Women seeking jobs normally held by men—that is a novel concept for its time. The reasoning for this is backed up by bible quotations, such as “a workman is worthy of his hire.” The report is not terribly biased, but the writer is firmly behind the women who attended the meeting. ................
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