Rose Schneiderman Quotes

Powerful Rose Schneiderman for Daily Growth

About Rose Schneiderman

Rose Schneiderman (1882-1972) was an American labor union activist, reformer, and a leading figure in the women's suffrage movement. Born on July 4, 1882, in Russia, she immigrated to the United States at the age of 14 with her family, settling in New York City. Schneiderman began her activism as a garment worker in the city's sweatshops, joining the United Hebrew Trades (UHT) and later becoming the secretary of its Women's Committee. In 1905, she co-founded the Women's League for Peace and Freedom, which advocated for women's rights and international peace. In 1909, Schneiderman helped establish the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), serving as its vice president from 1926 to 1940. During her tenure, she fought tirelessly for better working conditions, shorter hours, and higher wages for women workers in the garment industry. Schneiderman's activism extended beyond labor issues. In 1912, she was one of the founding members of the Women's Political Union, which aimed to secure voting rights for women. She also played a crucial role in organizing the famous 1908 Uprising of the 20,000, a strike by women garment workers demanding better wages and working conditions. One of Schneiderman's most famous quotes is "The task before us is mighty, but it is beautiful. All that is necessary to fear is God, and all that is necessary to love is man." This quote encapsulates her belief in the power of collective action and her commitment to improving the lives of working people. Rose Schneiderman died on July 11, 1972, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential labor leaders and women's rights activists in American history. Her contributions continue to inspire generations of activists fighting for social justice and workers' rights.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The task of the working woman is to get the ballot, then to use it wisely."

This quote by Rose Schneiderman emphasizes that obtaining the right to vote (the ballot) is a crucial step for working women towards achieving gender equality. However, she also cautions that simply having the power to vote is not enough; they must use their newfound political power wisely to effect change and improve their lives and conditions in the workplace and society at large.

"Anybody who knows anything of history knows that great social changes are impossible without feminine as well as masculine impetus."

This quote by Rose Schneiderman emphasizes that significant societal transformations require the participation and inspiration of both women and men. She suggests that the feminine perspective, often overlooked in historical accounts, plays a crucial role in driving change. This is because women have unique experiences and viewpoints that can bring new ideas, approaches, and solutions to address societal issues. The quote underscores the importance of inclusivity and diversity in bringing about lasting social change.

"The man who does not believe in women's capacity for leadership is just a little boy himself."

This quote from Rose Schneiderman asserts that anyone who doubts women's ability to lead demonstrates an immature or limited understanding of potential. It suggests that a belief in female leadership signifies maturity, respect, and recognition of the capabilities and contributions of women in society. The quote underscores the need for progress towards gender equality and empowers women to take their rightful place as leaders.

"The woman worker only asks that she be given the chance to work, and an opportunity to show whether she knows her job or not."

This quote by Rose Schneiderman highlights the desire of women workers during her era for equal opportunities in the labor market. They sought the right to prove their competence and skills, free from discrimination or bias based on gender. It underscores their wish to be evaluated based on merit rather than their sex, emphasizing the importance of fairness and inclusion in employment opportunities.

"If I can't work, I don't want to live. That's all."

This quote by Rose Schneiderman emphasizes a strong connection between one's purpose in life and work. Work was not just a means for survival but an integral part of her identity. The statement suggests that if she is unable to engage in meaningful, productive work, then her reason for living seems diminished or lost. It highlights the importance of dignity, independence, and self-worth through work, especially for those who strive for social justice and equality.

All the time our union was progressing very nicely. There were lectures to make us understand what trades unionism is and our real position in the labor movement.

- Rose Schneiderman

Very, Nicely, Progressing, Trades

Our people were very restive, saying that they could not sit under that notice, and that if the National Board did not call them out soon they would go out of themselves.

- Rose Schneiderman

Go, Could, Very, Our People

I can't talk fellowship to you who are gathered here. Too much blood has been spilled. I know from my experience it is up to the working people to save themselves. The only way they can save themselves is by a strong working-class movement.

- Rose Schneiderman

Here, Working-Class, Been, Spilled

Surely these women won't lose any more of their beauty and charm by putting a ballot in a ballot box once a year than they are likely to lose standing in foundries or laundries all year round. There is no harder contest than the contest for bread, let me tell you that.

- Rose Schneiderman

Beauty, Surely, Putting, All Year

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

Bread, Give, Ballot, Roses

I read upon the subject and grew more and more interested, and after a time I became a member of the National Board, and had duties and responsibilities that kept me busy after my day's work was done.

- Rose Schneiderman

Became, Read, Subject, Board

You have nothing that the humblest worker has not a right to have also.

- Rose Schneiderman

Nothing, Right, Also, Humblest

By working hard we could make an average of about $5 a week. We would have made more but had to provide our own machines, which cost us $45, we paying for them on the installment plan. We paid $5 down and $1 a month after that.

- Rose Schneiderman

Week, Own, Average, Machines

I learned the business in about two months, and then made as much as the others, and was consequently doing quite well when the factory burned down, destroying all our machines - 150 of them. This was very hard on the girls who had paid for their machines.

- Rose Schneiderman

Doing, Very, About, Machines

After I had been working as a cap maker for three years it began to dawn on me that we girls needed an organization. The men had organized already, and had gained some advantages, but the bosses had lost nothing, as they took it out on us.

- Rose Schneiderman

Some, Been, Needed, Cap

We have women working in the foundries, stripped to the waist, if you please, because of the heat.

- Rose Schneiderman

Heat, Working, Stripped, Waist

Then came a big strike. About 100 girls went out. The result was a victory, which netted us - I mean the girls - $2 increase in our wages on the average.

- Rose Schneiderman

Big, Average, Which, Increase

Of course, we knew that this meant an attack on the union. The bosses intended gradually to get rid of us, employing in our place child labor and raw immigrant girls who would work for next to nothing.

- Rose Schneiderman

Next, Rid, Our, Employing

I would be a traitor to these poor burned bodies if I came here to talk good fellowship.

- Rose Schneiderman

Fellowship, Here, Bodies, Burned

The life of men and women is so cheap and property is so sacred. There are so many of us for one job it matters little if 146 of us are burned to death.

- Rose Schneiderman

Death, Cheap, Many, Burned

But every time the workers come out in the only way they know to protest against conditions which are unbearable the strong hand of the law is allowed to press down heavily upon us.

- Rose Schneiderman

Strong, Law, Which, Conditions

The old Inquisition had its rack and its thumbscrews and its instruments of torture with iron teeth.

- Rose Schneiderman

Torture, Rack, Instruments, Iron

We have tried you citizens; we are trying you now, and you have a couple of dollars for the sorrowing mothers, brothers and sisters by way of a charity gift.

- Rose Schneiderman

Gift, Brothers, Couple, Charity

We have tried you good people of the public and we have found you wanting.

- Rose Schneiderman

Tried, Found, Wanting, Good People

So we must stand together to resist, for we will get what we can take - just that and no more.

- Rose Schneiderman

Will, More, Take, Resist

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