Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial

JUNE 23 2010
TRIANGLE MEMORIAL GROUP SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM SUCCEEDS FOR NINTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM) announced today that proceeds from its Ninth Annual Dinner, held on March 25, 2010, and Memorial Journal will enable it to provide college scholarships for the academic year 2010-2011 to another twenty students as in past years. Since inception, TSFFM has raised over $250,000 for the scholarship program.

TSFFM’s President, James McCarthy, said, “The largest measure of contributions is made by law firms and health care providers in the state’s workers’ compensation system. We are grateful for their generosity and recognition of the historical significance of the Triangle fire and the unmet needs of children of injured workers.”

March 25, 2011 marks the 100th commemoration of the Triangle Factory tragedy where 146 men and women, mostly young immigrants, perished. While it is expected that next year’s 100th is likely to generate new groups with a multitude of events and ideas, McCarthy indicated that TSFFM would focus on its commitment to the scholarship program. “We – as an all volunteer group – have very limited energy and resources,” he noted, “and have accepted responsibility to continue to assist Triangle Scholars in achieving their educational goals.”

John Sciortino, TSFFM’s Scholarship Chair and President of the state’s Injured Workers Bar Association, added, “Perhaps, the 100th commemoration will increase public awareness and result in even greater contributions to the Triangle Scholars program and enable us to expand our grants to a larger number or boost each individual award.”

Triangle Scholars each receive grants of $2,000 for an academic year and attend both public and private institutions of higher education from Buffalo to Long Island. Students are nominated by their institutions generally upon verification by the financial aid officer that some of their financial means is derived from permanent workers’ compensation benefits. An application form is available by download from TSFFM’s web site – www.trianglememorial.org.

FEBRUARY 16, 2010
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST GROUP NAMES FOUR AS RECIPIENTS OF CLARA LEMLICH PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS FOR 2010

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM) announced that four individuals have been named to receive a Clara Lemlich Public Service award for their work and efforts in calling attention to and participating in the reform of workers’ compensation and improvement of occupational safety in New York State.

Those named to the Class of 2010 are: M. Patricia Smith, recently approved by the US Senate as Solicitor at the US Department of Labor and previously Commissioner of the NYS Department of Labor; Lillian Roberts, Executive Director of NYC’s District Council 37; Veronica Montgomery-Costa, President of DC 37; and Richard D. Winsten, Esq., a partner at Meyer, Suozzi, English and Klein.

Lee Clarke, a member of the Board of Directors of TSFFM and Director of Health and Safety at DC 37, in announcing the awards, observed, “Although history is supposed to be a great teacher, we too often are not familiar with its many heroes who slug it out day to day for working men and women. Clara Lemlich, a young Jewish immigrant, was among those who rose to the occasion and inspired many with her voice and her actions. The Lemlich Class of 2010 represents this ideal.”

In the early 1900’s, Lemlich participated in efforts to improve the working conditions of her co-workers in the garment industry. Despite a number of severe beatings by goons hired by factory owners, Lemlich continued her organizing efforts. On November 22, 1909, after hours of speeches from labor representatives mostly men, she mounted the stage at Cooper Union and addressed the workers in Yiddish. Her words inspired 20,000 workers to strike, one which lasted until February 10, 1910 and resulted in better wages and working conditions for members of the ILGWU.

“But,” noted Clarke, “the Triangle factory owners did not participate in the reforms of the 1909 labor action and it was the tragic fire of March 25, 1911 that woke up the entire nation. We need to be reminded of that. So, I am proud to honor these men and women and recognize their connection to, not only labor history, but to all who enjoy safer and better working conditions.”

The awards will be presented at TSFFM’s Eighth Annual Memorial dinner to be held at the NYC Fire Museum in lower Manhattan on March 25. Proceeds from the dinner and a journal are dedicated to a scholarship program for children of injured workers. Attendees are treated to cocktails, a four-star dinner, and entertainment with themes relating to the 1900’s, the Triangle era, and performed by an amateur theatre group. “In this way,” offered Jim McCarthy, President of TSFFM, “we fulfill TSFFM’s mission to commemorate the Triangle tragedy and remind the public of the need for vigilance in workplace safety. The Lemlich awards and our scholarship program are concrete testimonials to these ends.”

SEPTEMBER 29, 2009
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST MEMORIAL GROUP ANNOUNCES TRIANGLE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2009-2010

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM) has named twenty-two Triangle Scholars for the Academic Year 2009-2010. Each grant is in the amount of $2,000 bringing TSFFM’s total awards to $218,000 since inception of the program in 2002. Scholarship funds are raised through the organization’s annual memorial journal and dinner which is planned for March 25, 2010 in New York City at the Fire Museum on Spring Street in lower Manhattan. Next year marks the 99th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire which claimed the lives of 146 workers.

John Sciortino, a Rochester attorney and Chair of the Scholarship Committee, stated that 13 of this year’s class of Triangle scholars were previous recipients and 8 are in the fourth year of study. “We are proud of the students and believe that those completing their studies represent the aspirations of their families who are dependent upon workers’ compensation to survive in this dreadful economy,” Sciortino said. “Their families may be receiving compensation benefits as little as $200-300 per week,” he continued referring the benefit limits in effect in previous years, “so these awards are significant and we wish we could do more for them.”

This year’s Triangle scholars pursue studies in institutions of higher education across the state from Buffalo, to Rochester, to Albany, to Pleasantville, to Potsdam, to St. John’s on Staten Island. They are in attendance at sixteen private colleges and six public institutions including community colleges in fields of study including teaching, forestry, pharmacy, liberal arts, and science. “Sixty-three individuals have received scholarships and some of the students,” Sciortino noted, “have been in the program for all four undergraduate years.”

TSFFM was founded by attorneys from the NYS Injured Workers Bar Association (IWBA) which counts members throughout NYS. Barbara Levine, a Nassau County attorney and President of the IWBA observed, “I believe TSFFM and its Scholarship Program speak directly of our bar’s commitment and recognition that career-ending injuries affect more than the income of hard working citizens. Although the Triangle fire and the legislation that it spawned pre-date Social Security by two decades as a means to create a floor, a social safety net, to aid those who need the assistance of their fellow citizens, it isn’t always the complete picture.”

The success of TSFFM in the past eight years has expanded opportunities for participation by donors, including a named scholarship program. Levine, who also serves as a TSFFM Vice President and Chair of the fundraising dinner observed, “We had no idea when we started this project that we would be so successful each year to raise funds for such a worthy cause. Our bar and its many supporters - doctors, attorneys, unions, individuals – are partners in this program .”

In 2007, the IWBA was honored by the New York State Bar Association at its annual convention in New York City with an Award of Merit for the TSFFM project.

The NYC fundraising event treats attendees to cocktails, a four-star dinner, and entertainment with themes relating to the 1900’s, the Triangle era, performed by an amateur theatre group lead by Mauro Contrastano, an IWBA member. The pre-dinner entertainment includes klezmer music and a processional by the NY Fire Department’s Pipes and Drums.

Alex Rosado, a NYC attorney and IWBA member, said “We fulfill TSFFM’s mission to commemorate the Triangle fire and remind the public of the origin of laws that operate on a daily basis in the workplace. Workers’ Compensation statutes were one of the results of the Triangle tragedy and we must not forget how such innocent sacrifice so profoundly affects our lives today.”

FEBRUARY 19, 2009
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST MEMORIAL GROUP NAMES FIVE AS RECIPIENTS OF 2009 CLARA LEMLICH PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM) announced today that five individuals have been named to receive a Clara Lemlich Public Service award for their work and efforts in calling attention to and participating in the reform of workers’ compensation and improvement of occupational safety in New York State and for championing workers’ interests.

The 2009 Lemlich recipients are U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; UFT President Randi Weingarten; Injured Workers Bar Association President Barbara B. Levine; NY Workers’ Compensation Alliance Co-Chair Troy Rosasco; and the Hon. Edward I. Pitts, former IWBA President and now an Administrative Law Judge with the Social Security Administration.

Ed Vargas, a member of the Board of Directors of TSFFM and Assistant to the President of UNITE/HERE, who chaired the Lemlich committee, observed, “Although history is supposed to be a great teacher, we too often are not familiar with its many heroes who slug it out day to day for working men and women. Clara Lemlich, a young Jewish immigrant, was among those who rose to the occasion and inspired many with her voice and her actions. These five individuals – some with great public recognition – join those we honored last year for exactly the same reasons. They have demonstrated professional and personal commitment to issues of critical concern to workers and working families.”

In the early 1900’s, Clara Lemlich participated in efforts to improve wages and working conditions for her co-workers in the garment industry. Despite a number of severe beatings by goons hired by factory owners, Lemlich continued her organizing efforts. On November 22, 1909, after hours of speeches from labor representatives, mostly men, she mounted the stage at the Cooper Union and addressed the workers in Yiddish. Her words and spirit inspired 20,000 in the garment industry to go on strike, an action that lasted until February 10, 1910 and resulted in better wages and working conditions for members of the ILGWU. Ironically, and tragically, the owners of the Triangle Factory did not participate in the industry agreement.

As U.S. Senator from New York, Hillary Clinton was a driving force in behalf of post 9/11 medical services and treatment for victims, rescue workers, and responders. Randi Weingarten spearheaded recognition of domestic workers for union membership and worker protections. Barbara B. Levine, serving in her third year as IWBA President, has led the bar’s members in application of the new statutory reforms. As a leader of the WCA, Mr. Rosasco was instrumental in forging opposition to introduction of AMA medical guidelines in NY. Edward Pitts served several terms as IWBA President and was the long-time co-author of the NYS Workers’ Compensation Handbook.

“UNITE/HERE is the successor and beneficiary of Clara’s bravery and dedication,” continued Vargas, “and we need to be reminded of that. So, I am proud and pleased to announce the names of TSFFM’s 2009 Clara Lemlich Public Service awards and recognize their connection to, not only labor history, but to all who enjoy safer and better working conditions.”

The awards will be presented at TSFFM’s Seventh Annual Memorial dinner to be held at the NYC Fire Museum in lower Manhattan on March 25, 2009. Proceeds from the dinner and a journal are dedicated to a scholarship program for children of injured workers. TSFFM’s Scholarship Program has awarded 90 grants totaling over $180,000 for this purpose over the past six years.

Invited guests are treated to cocktails, a four-star dinner, and a selection of Broadway songs with themes relating to the 1900’s, the Triangle era, and performed by an amateur theatre group. The pre-dinner activity includes klezmer music and a processional with the FDNY Pipes and Drums.

“In this way,” offered Jim McCarthy, a NYC attorney and President of TSFFM, “we fulfill TSFFM’s mission to commemorate the Triangle tragedy and remind the public of the need for vigilance in workplace safety. The Clara Lemlich recipients personify that responsibility in their everyday work lives.”

DECEMBER 12, 2008
ATTORNEYS HOST SCHOLARSHIP DINNER IN MEMORY OF 1911 FACTORY FIRE

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial, a group of New York claimants' attorneys formed to commemorate the 1911 garment factory fire that triggered major worker reforms, has scheduled its 2009 scholarship fundraising dinner for March 25 at the New York City Fire Museum.

The dinner coincides with the 98th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, which trapped and killed 146 young workers in a sweatshop in lower Manhattan's garment district on March 25, 1911.

According to information released by the New York State Workers' Compensation Board, most of the victims were women and most were immigrants. Some of those killed were as young as 12 years old.

The fire triggered reforms in workplace safety, health and labor laws and was considered the worst workplace disaster in New York City history until the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"The Triangle fire and the legislation that it spawned pre-date Social Security by two decades as a means to create a floor, a social safety net, to aid those who need the assistance of their fellow citizens," said Barbara Levine, president of the Injured Workers Bar Association.

The dinner includes entertainment based on early 1900s themes.

Source: Injured Workers Bar Association

DECEMBER 9, 2008
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST MEMORIAL GROUP HOSTS SEVENTH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN OF INJURED WORKERS

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM), a NYS Not-For-Profit organization announced that its Seventh 2009 scholarship fund raising dinner is to be held on March 25th, 2009, at the NYC Fire Museum on Spring Street in lower Manhattan. The event marks the 98th anniversary of the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 146 young men and women, mostly immigrants, who were trapped in a sweatshop inferno in lower Manhattan.

Net proceeds from the six previous years generated over $175,000 for TSFFM’s Triangle Scholars Program providing more than 89 college scholarships each in the amount of $2,000.00 to children of injured workers. John Sciortino, a Rochester attorney who heads TSFFM’s Scholarship Program said, “Our scholarship awards, in many instances, have meant the difference for some of these children of injured workers to complete their studies. These Triangle Scholars are concrete testimony to the plight of injured workers whose capacity to support the aspirations of their families has been destroyed by their career-ending disabilities.”

TSFFM was founded by a group of attorneys from the NYS Injured Workers Bar Association (IWBA) which counts members throughout NYS. Barbara Levine, a Nassau County attorney and President of the IWBA observed, “I believe TSFFM and its Scholarship Program speak directly to the history of our state’s commitment to assist its hard working citizens. The Triangle fire and the legislation that it spawned pre-date Social Security by two decades as a means to create a floor, a social safety net, to aid those who need the assistance of their fellow citizens.”

The success of TSFFM in the past six years has expanded opportunities for participation by donors, including a named scholarship program and advertisers in a souvenir journal. “We are so excited,” observed Levine, who also serves as a TSFFM Vice President and Chair of the fundraising dinner, “and had no idea when we started this project that we would be so successful increasing our ability each year to raise funds for such a worthy cause. I am awed and, when the scholarship checks are sent out, simply and absolutely gratified.”

In 2007, the IWBA was honored by the New York State Bar Association at its annual convention in New York City with an Award of Merit for the TSFFM project.

“In this way,” offered Lou Dauerer, a Peekskill attorney, “we fulfill TSFFM’s mission to commemorate the Triangle fire and remind the public of the origin of laws that operate on a daily basis in the workplace. Workers’ Compensation statutes were one of the results of the Triangle tragedy and we should not forget how such innocent sacrifice has profoundly affected our lives today.”

MARCH 25, 2008
STATEMENT FROM THE CHAIR ZACHARY WEISS ON THE 97TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST FACTORY FIRE

Today is the 97th anniversary of the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. One hundred forty six people died in that fire–most were women, with some as young as twelve. It was the worst workplace disaster in New York City, until the attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

The fire led to many reforms in workplace safety, health, and labor laws and was the final triumph of the Workers' Compensation system in New York.

Therefore, I am asking the Board to commemorate this anniversary with a moment of silence today at 2:00 PM. All hearing points are directed to pause in observance of this tragedy, and all Board employees are also encouraged to participate. It is my hope that reflecting on our history will foster a greater appreciation for the plight of the injured worker and the importance of our work.

CONTACT: Public Information
Office PHONE: (518) 408-0469
FAX: (518) 473-1415

JANUARY 30, 2008
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST MEMORIAL GROUP AWARDS FOURTEEN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2007-2008

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM), a NYS Not-For-Profit organization announced that fourteen Triangle Scholars are to receive grants for the Academic Year 2007-08. The organization noted that this class of children of injured workers brings the total of scholarships and awards since 2003 to 69 and total grants of $138,000.

TSFFM’s Scholarship Chair, John Sciortino, a Rochester attorney, said, “It is an honor to participate in this project. The 69 Triangle Scholars attend both public and private institutions from Buffalo to Stony Brook in Long Island and reside in counties of the state from Erie to Suffolk. This program reaches those families and individuals, their children, whose aspirations for a better life were impacted by injuries suffered during the working lives of their breadwinners.”

The success of TSFFM in the past five years has expanded opportunities for participation by donors, including a named scholarship program, and advertisers in a Memorial Journal. “We are so excited,” observed Levine, who also serves as a TSFFM Vice President and Chair of the fundraising dinner, “and had no idea when we started this project that we would be so successful increasing our ability each year to raise funds for such a worthy cause.”

This year’s fund raising dinner is scheduled in NYC at the Fire Museum in lower Manhattan on March 25. Attendees are treated to cocktails, a four-star dinner, and entertainment with themes relating to the 1900’s, the Triangle era and performed by a theatre group lead by Mauro Contrastano, an IWBA member. “In this way,” offered Ed Pitts, a Syracuse attorney, “we fulfill TSFFM’s mission to commemorate the Triangle fire and remind the public of the origin of laws that operate on a daily basis in the workplace. Workers’ Compensation statutes were one of the results of the Triangle tragedy and we should not forget how such innocent sacrifice has profoundly affected our lives today and the lives of our fellow citizens.”

JANUARY 30, 2008
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST MEMORIAL GROUP NAMES FIVE AS RECIPIENTS OF CLARA LEMLICH PUBLIC SERVICE AWARDS

The recipients are Lee Clarke, Director of Safety and Health for DC 37; Art Wilcox of the NYS AFL-CIO; Dr. Stephen Levin, Director of the Mt. Sinai I.J. Selikoff Center for Occupational Medicine; Dr. Robert Goldberg, President of the Medical Society of NYS; and John Sciortino, Esq., an attorney from Rochester.

Ed Vargas, a member of the Board of Directors of TSFFM and Assistant to the President of UNITE/HERE, announced the awards and observed, “Although history is supposed to be a great teacher, we too often are not familiar with its many heroes who slug it out day to day for working men and women. Clara Lemlich, a young Jewish immigrant, was among those who rose to the occasion and inspired many with her voice and her actions.”

“UNITE/HERE is the successor and beneficiary of Clara’s bravery and dedication,” continued Vargas, “and we need to be reminded of that. So, I am proud and pleased to announce the names of TSFFM’s 2008 Clara Lemlich Public Service awards and recognize their connection to, not only labor history, but to all who enjoy safer and better working conditions.”

The awards will be presented at TSFFM’s Sixth Annual Memorial dinner to be held at the NYC Fire Museum in lower Manhattan on March 25. Proceeds from the dinner and a journal are dedicated to a scholarship program for children of injured workers. Attendees are treated to cocktails, a four-star dinner, and entertainment with themes relating to the 1900’s, the Triangle era, and performed by an amateur theatre group. “In this way,” offered Jim McCarthy, a NYC attorney and President of TSFFM, “we fulfill TSFFM’s mission to commemorate the Triangle tragedy and remind the public of the need for vigilance in workplace safety. The Clara Lemlich awardees personify that responsibility in their everyday work lives.”

JANUARY 16, 2008
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST MEMORIAL GROUP HOSTS SIXTH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN OF INJURED WORKERS

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM), a NYS Not-For-Profit organization announced that its 2008 scholarship fund raising dinner is to be held on March 25th, 2008, at the NYC Fire Museum on Spring Street in lower Manhattan. This year marks the 97th anniversary of the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 146 young men and women, mostly immigrants, who were trapped in a sweatshop inferno in lower Manhattan.

Net proceeds from the five previous years generated over $135,000 for TSFFM’s Triangle Scholars Program providing more than 65 college scholarships each in the amount of $2,000.00 to children of injured workers. John Sciortino, a Rochester attorney who heads TSFFM’s Scholarship Program said, “Our scholarship awards, in many instances, have meant the difference for some of these children of injured workers to complete their studies. These Triangle Scholars are concrete testimony to the plight of injured workers whose capacity to support the aspirations of their families has been destroyed by their career-ending disabilities.”

The success of TSFFM in the past five years has expanded opportunities for participation by donors, including a named scholarship program, and advertisers. “We are so excited,” observed Levine, who also serves as a TSFFM Vice President and Chair of the fundraising dinner, “and had no idea when we started this project that we would be so successful increasing our ability each year to raise funds for such a worthy cause. I am awed and, when the scholarship checks are sent out, simply and absolutely gratified.”

The NYC event treats its attendees to cocktails, a four-star dinner, and entertainment with themes relating to the 1900’s, the Triangle era and performed by a theatre group lead by Mauro Contrastano, an IWBA member. “In this way,” offered Ed Pitts, a Syracuse attorney, “we fulfill TSFFM’s mission to commemorate the Triangle fire and remind the public of the origin of laws that operate on a daily basis in the workplace. Workers’ Compensation statutes were one of the results of the Triangle tragedy and we should not forget how such innocent sacrifice has profoundly affected our lives today.”

FEBRUARY 26, 2007

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Memorial (TSFFM) announced today that fifteen (15) men and women have been named Triangle Scholars for the Academic Year 2006-2007. The scholarship awards are each made for $2,000.00 to children or dependents of parents or guardians receiving benefits under New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law.

John Sciortino, a Rochester attorney and Chair of TSFFM’s Scholarship Committee, said that seven (7) of the recipients were awardees in past years and eleven (11) received awards named for families or individuals with associations to workers’ compensation. The students reside in counties from Erie to Suffolk; attend public and private institutions; and are studying in fields from teacher education to pharmacy to pre-engineering.

Sciortino said, “Although our new Governor deserves great praise for increasing benefits in the workers’ compensation system in future years, these students are dependents of breadwinners who are receiving 1994 benefits under the prior law. Just as seven of them are repeat recipients, we expect the need for Triangle Scholarships to increase as the dependents age-in to college years. “

James McCarthy, President of TSFFM, agreed with Sciortino adding, “It’s like the “baby boomer” phenomenon. The permanently injured workers from the 1990’s will be seeking college assistance for their children in the next 10 years. If TSFFM can make its first award for freshman year, then we will have three more years to anticipate. In the present class of Triangle Scholars, one student has moved from community college to a four-year institution and has received Triangle awards for the past three years.”

TSFM was initiated by a group of attorneys who practice in the field of workers’ compensation. The first dinner and fundraising event was held in NYC in March 2001. This year two dinner events are scheduled for March 23rd, 2007 – one in Syracuse and one in NYC. Over its five years, the organization has awarded fifty-five (55) Triangle Scholarships totaling $106,000.00.

For further information, please contact:

James M. McCarthy
718-830-3200
jmccarthy@nycomplawyers.com

Barbara B. Levine
516-308-2001
Barlaw8@aol.com

TSFFM
718-830-3200
www.trianglememorial.org