"What the woman who labors wants is the right to live, not simply exist — the right to life as the rich woman has the right to life, and the sun and music and art. You have nothing that the humblest worker has not a right to have also. The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too. Help, you women of privilege, give her the ballot to fight with."
Rose Schneiderman (April 6, 1882 – August 11, 1972), a social justice activist, suffragist and labor union leader in the early 20th Century, popularized the phrase "bread and roses" in her many speeches.
Her words inspired James Oppenheim to write the poem “Bread and Roses”, which was later set to music. It remains a labor anthem to this day. Here is a short PBS documentary on Schneiderman; a woman whose work made a positive impact on our lives before many of us were even born.
A very nice salute on International Women's Day!
Posted by: Kris P | Tuesday, March 08, 2022 at 12:07 PM
KRIS — My paternal grandfather went to work in the coal mines in PA as a ten year old. He grew up to be a union member. So I have always been interested in labor history, especially the women in it.
Posted by: Linda Brazill | Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 07:55 AM