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Interpreting the Evidence

"Make Sewing Your Career" Flyer in Spanish and English, New York City, c. 1970s

  • Documents in this Activity:
  • Historical Eras:

    Contemporary United States (1965 - present)

  • Thinking Skill:

    Historical Analysis & Interpretation

  • Grade Level:

    Upper Elementary
    Middle School
    High School
    College University

  • Topics:

    Immigration
    Labor
    Latinos

  • Primary Source Types:

    Broadside

  • Regions:

    New York City

  • Creator:

    NYS Archives Partnership Trust Education Team.

  1. Load "Make Sewing Your Career" Flyer in Spanish and English, New York City, c. 1970s in Main Document Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

Document Description
Local 23-25 International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) flyer announcing sewing instruction classes in English and Spanish, New York, NY, n.d. Words on flyer: "Aprendiendo a coser/ Make sewing your career" ("Learn to sew/Make sewing your career").
Historical Context
American labor unions arose out of the need for workers to organize themselves and work together to demand fair wages, safety in the workplace, and job security. A collective voice could not be ignored by employers as easily as individual protests, and workers who banded together could engage in strikes and other joint activities to strengthen their hand in bargaining with management. Latino unions gave workers a voice in overcoming discrimination in the workplace.  They often functioned to help members gain education and improve job skills.
 
Essential Question
How do immigrants impact the economy and culture of a community?
 
Check for Understanding
Summarize the main purpose of this poster and explain why this message is targeted toward certain ethnic groups.
Historical Challenges
Using the Resources section, learn more about the history of the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU).
Research the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. How did this tragedy affect the growth of the ILGWU?
Where is our clothing made today? Check clothing labels and place the names of those countries on a map of the world.
 
Interdisciplinary Connections
Foreign Language/English as a Second Language: Use the document to reinforce vocabulary and grammar structure.
Science: Beginning with the sewing machine, make a poster display of the machines used in the garment worker industry.