James Oppenheim, published his poem "Bread and Roses" in American Magazine in 1911 to promote women's rights movement. Oppenheim had been inspired from the socialist, feminist, trade union leader, Rose Scheneiderman in his poem. In Lawrence Textile Strike, wages of textile workers were lowered, in 1912, was inspired by this poem. And this strike has been called as "Bread and Roses Strike" Most of the female participants, in this strike, used the slogan "it is bread we fight for — but we fight for roses, too!" The following picture was taken during the strike:
"Bread and Roses" was composed in 1970 by Mimi Farina and it became the anthem of women's rights movement all around the world.
By different artists, "Bread and Roses" had been singed. Judy Collins had made a good job as below:
"Bread and Roses" with these miracolous words, has still been reflecting the essence of women's rights movement in 20th century:
As we come marching, marching in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing: “Bread and roses! Bread and roses!”
As we come marching, marching, we battle too for men,
For they are women’s children, and we mother them again.
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes;
Hearts starve as well as bodies; give us bread, but give us roses!
As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient cry for bread.
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.
Yes, it is bread we fight for — but we fight for roses, too!
As we come marching, marching, we bring the greater days.
The rising of the women means the rising of the race.
No more the drudge and idler — ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life’s glories: Bread and roses! Bread and roses!
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