Education is pertinent to not
only advance in the work or social sphere, but for attaining a sense of empowerment
and personal agency. Although many Americans today have the privilege to
experience both a primary and secondary education, there is still a large
amount of individuals who do not have that opportunity. As many women during
the turn of the twentieth century were unable to receive an education, it is
pertinent to understand how they propelled themselves from this disadvantage.
By forming a movement that challenged the traditional gender norms, women
changed how they were viewed as a gender in not only the workplace and
educational attainment, but as leaders. Understanding how one individual’s motivation
to organize this movement during that time period is pertinent to learning what
can be done today for those who still go without an education.
America has traditionally been
seen as the land of opportunity, but during difficult economic times many
struggle to reach the “American Dream.” Although child education is compulsory,
those in poverty are financially restricted to gaining a secondary education. Not
only are these individuals unable to pay for a higher education, but also they
must start working at a young age to assist the family as a whole, taking them
away from their studies. As jobs generally require either technical skills or a
college education, those who go without are limited to low pay menial work. Once
working, it is difficult to leave to become educated, due to time and financial
restrictions. This becomes a cycle if these individuals have a family, as they
most likely will not have the funds to support their own children in terms of
secondary education.
In Common Sense and a Little Fire, Orleck brings Fannia Cohn’s
dedication, to fight for female workers education, to life. Cohn believed that
education would establish female leaders that could transform the labor movement.
As many men had opposing opinions, as they did not want women to take over
their positions as they believed that they were unskilled and believed that
women would use schooling as a means to socialize to find a husband, Cohen was
more determined than ever to prove them otherwise.
Cohen’s aim to break this cycle
of uneducated women was driven by her desire to provide hope and a life of
meaning to workingwomen. She wanted them to, “…seek empowerment in the broadest
sense- an improved quality of life, economic advancement, and intellectual
stimulation (Orleck, 171).” By transforming the International Ladies’ Garment
Workers’ Union (ILGWU), Workers received more of a “systematic education” and
experienced a community of sisterhood ideals and values. This education and
bonding, allowed the women to feel the confidence Cohen believed would be able
to propel to become the next leaders in the workforce.
With a positively persuasive
attitude and working alongside influential individuals outside of the union,
Cohen was able to successfully promote awareness and initiate change not only
in New York City, but also across the United States. Though, her dedication and
hard work left her with little personal life, leaving her to feel overwhelmed
and isolated, she nonetheless disregarded her personal issues to serve for the
greater good of workingwomen’s education. By arguing that the competition
between sexes must end for progress to occur and taking the necessary steps to
advance, she has proven to be an individual who needs further recognition outside
of Orleck’s Common Sense and a Little
Fire.
I believe that in order for
those today, which must work in order to live instead of receiving further
education, need to work together to have their voices heard. Although I feel
today’s society limits individuals to speak up and out to the public, I believe
those who want to be further educated have all the more right and purpose to
speak up and bring awareness o the public for further action. I believe this
education will help to empower more individuals to help foster positive America
ideals and spirit. Cohen is a great inspiration to refer to illustrating how
true dedication can be used to change the current issues of the present. Like
Cohen said about working women, today’s individuals should embody the same
advice as they, “…must not be content to assume an innocent mien or remain…passive…[they]
must stand at the forefront of affairs and not merely as an onlooker (Orleck,
173).”
Found this after I wrote this
blog. Illustrates the current relationship between poverty and receiving a
higher education:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/education/poor-students-struggle-as-class-plays-a-greater-role-in-success.html?pagewanted=all
No comments:
Post a Comment