Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire 100th Anniversary

I could not let this week go by without marking the 100th Anniversary of the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire which occurred March 25, 1911. The Triangle factory manufactured shirtwaist dresses, which were very popular during the turn-of-the-century. The shirtwaist dresses were sewn mostly by working class immigrant girls and women in sweatshops in New York City and other locations. Conditions in these buildings were abysmal. Low light, dangerous machines, locked doors and piles of cloth contributed in this case to this horrendous fire. The doors opened inward so that the girls could not escape. At least 146 women and girls lost their lives in this horrific event. The average age of these victims was 19. Some girls were as young as 12 years old. Escape was not possible. Doors were locked by the factory owners, and there were no usable fire escapes.  Fire department hoses reached only slightly higher than the 6th floor. As a result, many women were forced by the fire to jump out of the windows. My grandmother witnessed the fire and told us that girls were jumping out of windows, their long hair and dresses aflame.


When you open a door and it opens outward, remember, it is a little thing but 146 women lost their lives because of that one little thing.

In response to this tragedy, occupational safety laws were passed to include prohibitions against locked doors; requirements for fire extinguishers; and safe exits in case of fire. And, doors must open outward. The brave work of the unions, including the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), pushed to pass these safety laws without which working conditions would still remain so dangerous. So, look for the union label.

Paula Bienenfeld