Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909

Shirtwaist Maker Strike

Overview

Pair the picture book, Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909, with primary sources to have students practice close reading, build vocabulary, and investigate labor activism and one group’s fight for shorter hours, increased wages, and more sanitary working conditions. After, students may share, in words or pictures, an example of something they have done or they hope to do to affect change.

Related Resources

Grade

Elementary

Subjects

Civics, English Language Arts

Length

40-60 minutes

Topics

Clara Lemlich, Shirtwaist Makers, civic action, hours, immigrants, labor, picture books, strike, wages, women's history, working conditions

Author

Tom Bober

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