Ardis Cameron

Educator and author Ardis Cameron will examine the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912 in her White Fund lecture “The Lawrence Strike of 1912: Women, Protest, and Déjà Vu All Over Again,” offered in collaboration with Northern Essex Community College on Sunday, February 12, in the NECC White Fund room at the Louise Haffner Fournier Education Center, 78 Amesbury St., Lawrence, from 2 to 4 p.m.
This is one of many activities throughout the city recognizing the anniversary of the strike.
On January 11, 1912, a group of about 100 women nervously waited in the weave room of the Everett Mill to see if their pay envelopes were cut. When their worst fears were confirmed, they threw down their aprons, grabbed picker sticks, and organized “flying squadrons” to recruit others and shut down the machines. The famous Bread and Roses strike had begun.
This talk explores the strike of 1912 and why it remains meaningful in today’s world. Based on her book, “Radicals of the Worst Sort,” Cameron will focus on the actions of the city’s women, their place in and out of history, and why the vision of “Bread and Roses” can help Labor’s comeback.
This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. The White Fund’s purpose is to have a free series of interactive presentations for Lawrence area adults, youth, and children. The audience is encouraged to seek wisdom, cultural enrichment, and intellectual enhancement by attending and participating.
Cameron is director and professor of American and New England Studies at the University of Southern Maine.
Funded by a generous financial gift from the Honorable Daniel Appleton White, the White Fund Lecture Series has provided cultural conversation featuring well-known lecturers in fields such as history, literature, travel, the arts, and politics. For additional information, call 978-738-7403 or visit the website www.necc.mass.edu/whitefund
Other scheduled White Fund lectures include U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz, who was recently named “Bostonian of the Year” by the Boston Globe Magazine. She will present “A Morning With U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz: Top Priorities of a Federal Prosecutor” on February 17, from 8:45 to 10 a.m. at Lawrence High School/Performing Arts Academy, 70-72 Parish Road, Lawrence.
On Sunday, April 22, Dr. Franklin Chang Diaz, NASA astronaut and founder of Ad Astra Rocket Company, will present “My Personal Journey through the American Dream” at the Lawrence Senior Center, 155 Haverhill St. Lawrence from 2 to 4 p.m..
The views expressed in the White Fund Enlightenment Series Presentations are the views of the speaker and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Northern Essex Community College.