Bread and Roses by James Oppenheim inspired by Rose Schneiderman

The Poetry Podcast

Rose Schneiderman (1882-1972) was a Jewish immigrant from Poland and a labor union leader of the early women’s movement. Schneiderman fought to improve women’s working conditions and gain universal suffrage. In the early 1900s, many NYC factories operated without fire escapes or locked exit doors to prevent workers from stealing goods. In the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in 1911, 146 garment workers burned alive or died jumping from the 9th floor of the building. At the memorial, Schneiderman spoke of the community's responsibility to support the working class. She originated the phrase “bread and roses” in a speech advocating for women to receive the right to vote. “What the woman who labors wants is the right to live, not simply exist—the right to life as the rich woman has the right to life, and the sun and music and art. You have nothing that the humblest worker has not a right to have also. The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.” The phrase would go on to inspire a poem by James Oppenheim and one of the most famous songs in American history. Bread and Roses by James Oppenheim As we go 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 go 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 go marching, marching, unnumbered women dead Go crying through our singing their ancient call 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 go 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. Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes; Hearts starve as well as bodies; bread and roses, bread and roses. James Oppenheim, "Bread and Roses," The American Magazine, December, 1911.