The Fight for the Women's Eight-Hour Law
A heartfelt letter of thanks arrives in Everett, marking a milestone in the struggle for humane working hours for Washington women.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Girls who must work for a living are rejoicing over the action of the legislature in cutting off two hours from their working day. The following letter shows their appreciation of the men who fought the measure to a successful passage: Seattle, Wash., March 17th, 1911. Hon. J. K. Campbell, Everett, Wash. Dear Sir: The twelfth session of the Washington state legislature is now history and may almost be forgotten by some, but we desire to take this opportunity of tendering to you our most sincere thanks and appreciation of your earnest work in support of the 'Womens' Eight-Hour Law.' We have toiled for many years in the interest of this humane and worthy measure, and the names of our champions who had the courage and manliness to get up and fight for the womanhood of our state are and will forever remain engraven on our memories. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts and may God bless you and yours is the tribute of the working girls of Washington. Most respectfully, Seattle Waitresses Union No. 240.
“We have toiled for many years in the interest of this humane and worthy measure, and the names of our champions who had the courage and manliness to get up and fight for the womanhood of our state are and will forever remain engraven on our memories.”
This letter commemorates the 1911 victory for the Women’s Eight-Hour Law in Washington State. It serves as a reminder that the basic protections we take for granted in the modern workplace were won through years of persistent organizing, legislative lobbying, and collective action by unions like the Seattle Waitresses Union.
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