"Yesterday was an amazing day for the LHC. Well over 300 walked through our door and the streets and historic buildings of Lawrence, from over 20 states and two foreign countries. There was an exciting buzz all day. People were constantly lingering at the end of sessions, there were conversations and networking, and as we checked in on panels, the packed rooms were hushed as people listened intently. Many certainly want to come back." ~ Pamela Yameen, LHC President
Saturday, April 28, 2012 was indeed a wonderful day in Lawrence. When our bilingual exhibit, "Short pay! All out!" opened on the 6th floor of the Everett Mill (15 Union Street, Lawrence) on January 12, 2012, our hope was to start a dialogue about the issues and themes brought to the forefront by the strikers one hundred years ago. The interest and attendance at the Bread and Roses Centennial Academic Symposium reaffirms that the same issues resonate today and that the conversations that began many months ago are continuing and expanding their reach all across this nation and beyond.
LHC Founder, Eartha Dengler said when she was awarded the "Woman of the Year" award by the Eagle-Tribune in 1993, "If you don't care, you really create a society where older people don't care about children and children don't care about older older people, where you don't care about your neighbor, about your community..." Eartha deeply cared about collecting and preserving the history and heritage of Lawrence for its people and, this past weekend, a glorious assembly of people did the same. Through scholarly work, discussion, music, and song, the story of Lawrence was told and will continue to be told as participants return to their home towns and countries.
Our very own LHC Board Secretary, Karen Van Welden Herman, on the right with fellow panelists Frances Perkins Center Executive Director Laura Fortman and Maine AFL-CIO President Don Berry in front of a replica of Maine's labor history mural.
Panel session on the 5th floor of the Everett Mill (photo taken by Richard Kearney)
Walking tour led by LHC Board member, Rich Padova. (photo taken by Richard Kearney)
Yadira Betances of the Eagle-Tribune summarizes the keynote address by ALF-CIO President, Richard Trumka, at lunch and the overall day nicely on the front page of the Sunday Local Section.
For those who participated, please take a moment to complete this
brief evaluation form so that we may improve upon things for future events!
Thank you, keep on talking about the Great Lawrence Strike of 1912, and come back often to Lawrence!
More photos available on our Facebook page!