Clara Lemlich and her parents were among
the thousands upon thousands of Jews fleeing persecution and sanctions in
Eastern Europe in the early 1900s. Within two weeks of arriving in New York
City, Clara was a garment worker, earning a few dollars a month to help pay for
food and rent. Fighting off the crushing effects of working conditions in the
factory, Clara attended night school and before long held high the banner of a
different kind of fight – a fight for a general strike among the women workers.
In this picture book biography Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’
Strike of 1909, author Michelle Markel captures the spirit of justice and
strength that powered Clara; Melissa Sweet’s vibrant illustrations draw readers
right into the context and details of the story. In an afterword, Markel writes
more about the garment industry, its workers, and the increasing strength of
the labor movement “due in great part to labor leaders like Clara Lemlich and
the thousands of brave girls who picketed in the winter of 1909.” Ages 5-10.
Related activities and interviews may be found at: TeachingBooks.net
Related activities and interviews may be found at: TeachingBooks.net
