Friday, October 16, 2015
Friday, October 9, 2015
Frances Perkins- labor movement activist
Frances Perkins
Having grown up in a well-off, conservative and republican family, Frances Perkins was not exposed to poverty until she began school. From a young age, Perkins was shocked by how the "other half" lived. In college, her main focus was in physics with minors in chemistry and biology. It was only in her last semester at school that Ms. Perkins took a class called 'American Economic History' which gave Perkins her fist look at industrial working conditions when she was assigned to observe the mills along the Conneticut River.
In 1905, Perkins moved to Lake Forrest Illinois where she took a teaching position. In her free time, she volunteered at Chicago Commons and Hull House where she would work with the poor and unemployed one-on-one. Ms. Perkins spent her next few years working to help the less fortunate all while getting her masters of sociology and economics from Columbia University. In 1910 Frances became the executive secretary of the New York City Consumer's league. Her work focused on improving sanitary and fire regulations, and decreasingworking hours for women and children in places such as bakeries and factories. About a year after taking this job, Frances and her friends were having tea on March 25, 1911 when they heard an overwhelming number of fire engines pass by. Perkins ran down the street to find women jumping from the flaming shirtwaist factory windows above. Appalled by what she was seeing, Frances Perkins said that this was "the day the New Deal was born."
The New Deal was a series of programs that were put in place by Franklin D. Roosevelt in an effort to restore prosperity and create new opportunities in our economy. FDR was elected as the presidential candidate for the democratic party in 1932. In response to the economic issues of the depression, Roosevelt declared that "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people". Once elected in 1933, FDR got to work on the New Deal. The New Deal included, but weren't limited to emergency relief programs, union protection programs and the Social Security Act.
Now you're probably wondering how this related to Frances Perkins...
The Triangle Shirtwaist factory incident outraged the public (including Perkins). They were furious at the factory owners as well as themselves for allowing such a thing to happen. As a result,the Committee on Safety of the City of New York was established to prevent further tragedies from occurring. Perkins was the group's executive secretary where she lead investigations into state factories where she saw the dangers of industrialism first hand. New York's governor at the time, Al Smith, appointed Perkins to the Industrial Commission which regulated workplace conditions. Perkins was no average woman for her time. Smith's goal was to weed out corruption in the state labor department and Perkins was his enforcer. During Smith's final term, he chose Perkins to be the Chair of the Industrial Commission. Franklin D. Roosevelt, who took over as governor kept Perkins in this position. In 1932, when FDR was chosen as the democratic presidential candidate, he asked Frances Perkins to be his Cabinet Secretary of Labor. In 1933, she became the first woman cabinet member. As the president's secretary of labor, Perkins outlined policies such as a minimum wage, a 40 hour work week, abolition of child labor and social security.
In my eyes Frances Perkins was one of the most influential people in country's economic history. Motivated and inspired by the women of the triangle shirtwaist factory, she devoted her life to improving the lives and working conditions of others. It's hard to imagine life before minimum wage, 40 hour work weeks and social security. However, these things may have never came to pass if it wasn't for the tragedy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory workers and Frances Perkins.
Wednesday, October 7, 2015
Don't sweat it
In this picture you see a man and we can immediately make the assumption that he is an athlete, probably wearing a pair of top of the line athletic sneakers, perhaps Nike shoes? Well this is Jim Keady, a labor activist that did not set out with a plan to make dramatic changes and educate others on social injustice. Jim was a soccer coach at St. John's University. I am always pondering what to wear or what not to wear, in Jim Keady's case, it is what he decided not to wear to work that cost him his job. At the time of his coaching days, the Nike company was endorsing St. John's University and what better way to advertise this then to have the coaching staff and players wear Nike gear. Jim Keady discovered that Nike manufactured their goods by using sweatshops and he refused to support Nike which ultimately cost him his job.
Most people would make their point and move on, but not Jim, he did not stop there. "Most people ask the question, "What is it like to live on a sweatshop wage in a developing country?" Jim Keady found out" (brophybroncos.org).
Jim Keady made a documentary "Behind the Swoosh" which shows the terrible conditions in the factories that produce Nike goods, a stark contrast to the Nike corporation company's main offices which are also shown in the film. Jim lives alongside the workers and shows the poverty and low wages that make life unbearable. He also reveals that Nike dumps loads of unused sneakers causing environmental pollution which results in hazardous health risks for the people that live nearby.
I found the documentary and Jim Keady's story just searching the internet. I couldn't believe this story...Nike? I love Nike and thought their brand stood for a healthy, work hard, play hard mentality. "Just Do It" serves as a personal mantra for so many and here behind the scenes are individuals barely surviving while sweating through endless hours of work each day with very little to show for it. Labor activists, such as Jim Keady, make us think and second guess the next time we reach for our Nike sneakers maybe we should not "Just Do It".
Friday, October 2, 2015
Blog Post #1
Unique. Outrageous. Stylish?
When talking about the "new" Miley Cyrus, one thing is for sure...
This girl Can't be Tamed. Pun intended.
This has clearly been demonstrated through her actions, but also
her clothing choices.
Shall we take a scroll down memory lane?
We Shall!
Ok, so we first met Miley in 2006 on the premier of Hannah Montana!
Miley Cyrus age 11 at Disney premier
So cute and innocent!
Here, Miley is rocking a plaid blazer over what looks like a baby blue, zip-up sweater which she paired with some good ol' blue jeans.
Miley Cyrus 2007 AMA Music Awards
Still cute, but a little less innocent in her strapless, red mini dress and sparkling silver Louboutins!
Miley Cyrus (2009) at the 81st Academy Awards red carpet
For the Oscars, Miley showed up in a beautiful Zuhair Murad dress.
It was a light tan, tiered dress with mermaid-like scallops and beading.
Miley Cyrus AMAs 2010
Miley steps up her fashion game up in 2010 at the American Music Awards. Above, Miley is pictured in a stunning Marchesa mini with a flowing sheer train paired with more sparkling Louboutins!
Miley Cyrus (2011) CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute
Above, Miley stuns in this beautiful Roberto Cavalli gown accessorized with Neil Lane diamonds.
And now for my all-time favorite...
Gasp!
Miley Cyrus (2012) Vanity Fair Oscar party
Roberto Cavalli has done it again!
Who would have thought a gray dress could be so beautiful and hypnotizing?
Not me!
This is one of the last memories I have of the "old Miley", so to speak.
It's very bitter-sweet if you ask me.
wait for it.....
It happens to the best of us... break-ups, that is.
Sometimes really good things come out of a bad situation.
Sometimes they just get worse...
But who's to judge? In my eyes, Miley came out on top (of a wrecking ball). Although she may not be everyone's cup of tea, she certainly knows how to get attention! Whether the attention is good or bad, people can't seem to get enough of her and her quirky outfits.
Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke VMAs 2013
Anywho... Let's take a look at some of Miley's most memorable outfits to date!
Miley Cyrus Met Gala 2013
Not long after her VMA performance with Robin Thicke, Miley showed up to the Met Gala in a netted gown by Marc Jacobs. Her quirky hair made this look very memorable even for the Met Gala which is filled with "quirky" outfits worn by celebrities.
and now some outfits from her Bangerz Tour:
As you can see, there is nothing "quiet" or boring about her outfit choices. Yes, these are the outfits she chose for her world tour, but her everyday clothing is often very "loud" as well.
Do I consider Miley Cyrus a fashion icon?
In a way, yes.
Merriam Webster's dictionary definition of an icon is as follows:
a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of something.
I believe Miley dresses in such a way that is true to herself. She often blatantly spells out how she is feeling or what she believes in on her clothing (as seen above). I think Miley Cyrus represents a generation of people being able to be whoever and whatever they want to be, with no judgement involved. In a weird way, I feel she is a symbol of modern day freedom.
As crazy as she may seem, Miley Cyrus has truly become associated with the way that she dresses.
Her rebellious style is one with her rebellious attitude.
It is without a doubt that Miley has got to experience the 'best of both worlds'. Not only on her hit t.v. show, but also in real life.
Miley has gone from the cute, girl next door role model to almost the complete opposite in just a couple of years. Miley's fashion has evolved with her and it is without a doubt extremely fashionating... I mean fascinating!
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