Part Four

  • Explain. In November 1909 more than twenty thousand garment workers, two-thirds of them young Jewish women, participated in the largest strike that had ever taken place in the United States.
    • Discuss: What were some of the issues we had previously discussed that workers were protesting against?
  • Show students a photo of Clara Lemlich
  • Discuss.  What do you think of when you see this photograph?
  • Distribute profiles of Jewish labor movement leaders

Assignment. Ask students to pretend they are speaking during the 1909 strike in the voice of one of the people whose profile they’ve read or in the voice of a character they create. They should state what they are fighting for, what they would say to convince other workers to strike with them, or what they could say to convince the public to support them. Each student should design a protest poster to carry and create a chant for the rally. Students can then hold a rally carrying their posters, chanting as they march, and making speeches.

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How to cite this page

Jewish Women's Archive. "Part Four." (Viewed on April 24, 2024) <http://jwa.org/node/25228>.