Talking to the Girls: Intimate and Political Essays on the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

by Edvige Giunta (Editor), Mary Anne Trasciatti (Editor)

Candid and intimate accounts of the factory-worker tragedy that shaped American labor rights

On March 25, 1911, a fire broke out on the eighth floor of the Asch Building in Greenwich Village, New York. The top three floors housed the Triangle Waist Company, a factory where approximately 500 workers, mostly young immigrant women and girls, labored to produce fashionable cotton blouses, known as “waists.”

The fire killed 146 workers in a mere 15 minutes but pierced the perpetual conscience of citizens everywhere. The Asch Building had been considered a modern fireproof structure, but inadequate fire safety regulations left the workers inside unprotected. The tragedy of the fire, and the resulting movements for change, were pivotal in shaping workers' rights and unions.

A powerful collection of diverse voices, Talking to the Intimate and Political Essays on the Triangle Fire brings together stories from writers, artists, activists, scholars, and family members of the Triangle workers. Nineteen contributors from across the globe speak of a singular event with remarkable impact. One hundred and eleven years after the tragic incident, Talking to the Girls articulates a story of contemporary global relevance and stands as an act of collective a written memorial to the Triangle victims.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2022

Reviews

[Lynne Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a moving collective work! The nineteen contributors have each such unique voices—some are poets, some are relatives of the girls who died, some are artists, one is the grandson of Frances Perkins who was so moved by the tragedy that she became a fierce advocate for labor rights. The book is as much a literary gift as it is a work to remind us that women's rights, workers' rights, and certain historic events cannot be forgotten. While speaking of the grief, anger, and determination to effect social change in the name of all Triangle workers and all workers who have been and continue to be subject to the consequences of consumer capitalism, this book articulates the contemporary global relevance of the Triangle fire and the power of stories to connect us across time and space.

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

You maybe familiar with one of the most tragic work disasters in New York city and actually it was the worst worker disaster in the city before 9/11. In this tragedy there were 146 lifes lost and most were Women some as young as 14 years old. On March 25th 1911 was the Triangle Shirtwaist fire. This book does not go into the full history of the fire or tell the full stories of the workers involved. This is a collection of stories that are told from the view point of family members, teachers, scholars, those involved with labor and art. When you read the story from family members and they may have discovered how important or how much their family member was. The teachers who use this tragic story to draw in their classes and inspire them to learn and to be involve. This collection of stories are to remember those involved such as Frances Perkins who some say is responsible Social Security, Unemployment insurance, Child Labor Laws, and federal minimum wage witnessed this event and what it led her to accomplish. There are stories that lead those to action and even change lives. It also makes us aware that even though this was over a 100 years ago that we still have incidents like this today all over the world. I was a little concerned that this book would be a little dry or slow in reading but that was not the case. If you have not heard about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire i strongly encourage to read up on it and while you are at it read this book.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talking to the Girls is a collection of essays written about the Triangle Shirt Factory fire in the early 1900s. The essays explore a range of topics related to the fire, including poverty, immigration, and racism. The working conditions and the number of women who worked in the factory also calls for reflections on women’s rights and the formation of workers unions. I’m not a usually huge fan of anthologies/collections of essays such as this but did find it fairly interesting. I also liked the varied perspectives and view points that this book was able to provide. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy of this book!

[Jacquelyn Fusco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essays from people with various connections to the Triangle Fire and unions/labor activism. Very interesting, informative, and moving.

I come from a family of seamstresses. My grandma did piece work sewing buttons at "the bloomer factory". Her mother, who taught me to crochet, emigrated from Italy in 1920, about 9 years after the fire. I think of the girls who worked at Triangle as people who could have been my relatives.

[Louise Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important account of a major historical event but it is also a personal remembrance of the individuals who lost their lives. The author does a great job of presenting detailed historical information in a way which brings the story to life, offering a genuine social history while also offering a forensic account of a tragedy which led to industrial reform.

[Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I understand and appreciate this book for what it is and what it has accomplished. I think it is an important piece of literature giving voice to the victims of this tragedy both past and present and the lessons humanity ought to finally learn.

*Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Veronique · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touching view of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, I got goosebumps multiple times while reading this. Very well written, thoughtful, and educational. Highly recommend.

[Teri Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brava. An moving and inspiring collection.

[Victoria]

(Had to read for class)

[Rachel]

The most interesting part to me was the essay about Black garment workers and their lack of presence at Triangle. Otherwise, this book is more reflection than analysis and I found it kind of boring.