Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909

Get a jump on Women's History Month with this new picture book about Clara Lemlich, a remarkable 20th century labor leader. Picture books about early 20th century Jewish women labor leaders are not exactly published every day in the picture book universe, so I was especially eager to read this new work, illustrated by award-winning illustrator Melissa Sweet, about Clara Lemlich, best known for organizing the shirtwaist makers' strike of 1909.We first meet Clara as she is arriving in the United States, part of the mass of immigrants. But Clara is different--she's "got grit, and she's going to prove it. Look out, New York!"Social justice is an overriding theme of this book, and we see through Clara's eyes the injustices of life in early 20th century America for the impoverished immigrants. "This was not the America she'd imagined." Girls are hired to make blouses for a few dollars a month, wages desperately needed to help support their families. Markel vividly describes the factories in just a few words--only two toilets, one sink, and three towels for 300 girls to share, and better not be a few minutes late or bleed on a piece of cloth if you've pricked your finger or you'll lose half a day's pay or even be fired.But little Clara Lemlich is not one to sit back and take it. She organizes strikes, and despite being arrested repeatedly, and beaten, she is not easily silenced. But she realizes that a general strike of all the garment workers is what's needed to make the bosses stand up and take notice, and at a union meeting, she calls for women to launch the largest walk-out ever.Clara is the leader of the Revolt of the Girls, as the newspapers call it. And eventually the owners meet some of their demands, including a shortened work week and better wages. Markel ends her elegie to Lemlich on a hopeful note, emphasizing how Clara's actions helped thousands of workers. "proving that in America, wrongs can be righted, warriors can wear skirts and blouses, and the bravest hearts may beat in girls only five feet tall."An afterword provides further details about the history of the garment industry, and the role of Jewish immigrants in the business. Strangely enough, Clara is never identified as Jewish in the main text of the book, although she is shown shouting in Yiddish for a general strike. Back matter also includes a selected bibliography of general and primary sources. I would have also liked to have seen something on Clara Lemlich's later life. For example, she continued advocating for the oppressed her entire life, even helping to organize nursing home orderlies in the retirement home where she spent the end of her life.Melissa Sweet's remarkable illustrations integrate the garment industry in a very literal fashion into her depiction of Clara's life. She uses watercolor, gouache, and mixed media, and pieces of fabric and sewing machine stitching are front and center in nearly every illustration. Some of the illustrations are particularly moving, including the one in which rows and rows of factory workers are shown from directly above, with the hundreds of girls appearing faceless and indistinct from each other like cogs in a wheel. I also loved the "girl power" illustration of Clara calling for a general strike--Sweet depicts Clara from behind, with hundreds of people in the audience raising their fists in solidarity and with her call for a strike in an oversized text balloon, with the word "Strayk!" (or strike!) in bright red lettering!This is a must-have for anyone interested in exposing their children to important issues and people in the social justice movement, as well as outstanding women in history, those who chose to try to make a difference in an era when women were encouraged to make their dominion at home.

Great story, well-told. I really enjoyed this book about a special piece of union history. I have long been interested in the International Lady’s Garment Worker Union and women in unionism. Used book but was in great shape.

What more can I add to the long list of glowing reviews? This is a good book written about a great person. May all of our children be like Clara. Or better yet, may they be born in a world that doesn't require children to struggle at all.

I did a book discussion with a young girl about the power of women! Very easy to read and straight forward.

Clara Lemlich is my Grandmother. On behalf of my entire family, I would like to thank all of you who offered such kind comments about her. I can assure you that not only was she a force to contend with in the shops but she was also a wonderful Grandmother as well. Did you know she was a vegetarian, had season tickets to the New York Opera, walked 3 miles everyday and made the best rugelach a grandchild could want!

Too much history is forgotten or not passed on to the next generation. A must to share with our daughters and granddaughters...and their brothers.

Most Americans don’t know the extraordinary courage these gals displayed to improve working conditions. This book is a must-read for everybody!

It's okay but it comes off a little preachy. I dunno. Kids these days oughta know what it was like just 100 years ago, though. Could be even worse before too long.

Great book, delivered in good condition and good price. My neice loved it although grandpa said we were trying to brainwash her into being a socialist...