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The Life story of a Polish Sweatshop Girl

1898-1929

Last week we talked about Hans Mattson, but this week, we’re going to talk about someone that I honestly found quite interesting. ✨Sadie Browne✨. As I read Sadie's life story, I kept think to myself “I could never do what Sadie did”. Granted, it was normal for kids to start a young age, but Sadie wasn’t just working. By thirteen, she was living alone, paying her own rent, and buying her own clothes/groceries, all while having a stable job. At thirteen I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere without an adult. Let's dig deeper into her life so that you get a better understanding of where I'm coming from. 

At a young age, Sadie's father died, and her mother was left to provide for her and Sadie, as well as pay rent for their family-owned shop. As a woman making $6 a month, you can guess this was nearly impossible. Her mother decided to leave Poland and move to the "wonderful" America to try and make easier money. Shortly after arriving, unfortunately Sadie's mother became ill and died as well. Thirteen-year-old Sadie was left alone in America with no knowledge of the English language. She began working at a sweatshop during the day and going to school at night. While working at the sweatshop, the employees suffered from low wages, unhealthy conditions, and long hours. Despite all this, Sadie still went to work because she knew she had to provide for herself. 

A few years later, Sadie began to protest for better work conditions; She even was excelling in school. You could say that Sadie found her way Around America quite well. 

Sadie worked 6 days a week for long hours, accidents on the job weren't taken very seriously, as well as low wages. Towards the end of the article, it then stated that Sadie and others, went on strike to fight for better work conditions. And that's what this module talked a little about. This era (Progressive Era) was the time period where people stood up for political, economic and social change in America. Reformers fought for limiting workday hours, safer workplaces, and banning child labor. America still had a long way to go, but this is a good start.

This week's reading and module allowed me to process just how much America has changed. If Sadie was able to see how different our workplaces are today versus back then, she would be astonished. But not just workplaces, a lot of things has changed for us. As I continue this blog, we'll be able to talk about it even more.

  
No volume of history is insignificant, even the worst chapters. Especially the worst chapters.” – Terri Guillemets


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