In 1911, 146 young women died in a horrific fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. Their working conditions, untimely deaths, and the lack of adequate compensation for the families of the victims led to widespread unionization of garment industry workers, fire and workplace safety codes, and the creation of the Workers’ Compensation Law.
In 2000, a group of workers’ compensation attorneys created the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial to provide academic scholarship to the children of workers who were killed or permanently disabled on the job. Since 2001, the Memorial has provided a total of almost $500,000 in scholarship assistance while presenting its Clara Lemlich Public Service Award to dozens of public figures, union leaders and others who have contributed to the cause of worker safety, health and compensation.
The Memorial held its 18th Annual Scholarship Award Event on March 30, 2023. Memorial President Robert Grey said: “The Scholarship Award Event is such a valuable cause. It is important to remember and commemorate the Triangle Fire and the lives that were lost. It is also important to remember and reinforce the connection between the fire, the labor movement, and the Workers’ Compensation Law. And we are grateful for the opportunity to provide scholarships in memory and in honor of the young women who died in the fire.”
Information about the Memorial can be found at https://trianglememorial.org/
Students who wish to be considered for scholarship assistance are encouraged to apply using the application at https://iwba.memberclicks.net/assets/TSFFM/Triangle%20Application%202022.pdf