Slowing Down Fast Fashion: Lessons from Clara Lemlich

Collage by Judy Goldstein, using image of Clara Lemlich, circa 1910, and image of mass labor meeting at Cooper Union's Great Hall, circa 1909, both courtesy of the Kheel Center, Cornell University.

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This piece was written as part of JWA’s Rising Voices Fellowship.

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This is well written and informative. I did not know about Clara and her gallant fight. Thank you for bringing this to light. What’s unfortunate is that even supposed ‘quality clothing’, or what we deem as such, is often made in these deplorable conditions as well. Certain name brand charge more. It lines their pockets, but never the workers. What a conundrum to unravel.

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How to cite this page

Sorkin, Clara. "Slowing Down Fast Fashion: Lessons from Clara Lemlich." 27 January 2023. Jewish Women's Archive. (Viewed on June 13, 2026) <https://qa.jwa.org/blog/risingvoices/slowing-down-fast-fashion-lessons-clara-lemlich>.