Suffrage, labor rights and the equal rights amendment are related because outside of marking the peak of the women’s suffrage movement, these rights are what allowed women to move closer towards the equity. Suffrage, labor rights and equal rights are not only indicative of the change that the movement is about; these rights are fundamentally necessary for any society to thrive and progress. In this week, we were presented with a video that discusses the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire- an incident that cost the lives of many workers due to negligence on the owner’s behalf. During the incident, 146 of the 500 workers, which were predominately women, had to fall to their deaths because the owners had decided to lock the fire escape exit doors. This incident was the breaking point that shed much required light on the dangerous circumstances in which sweatshop factories were built on. This event is a prime example of the need for labor rights, in order to protect the safety of all workers.

            When we think of gender justice, we think of equality for all regardless of gender, gender expression and sexual orientation. This is important because the premise of gender justice is simple- unprecedented equality for all. Labor rights are fundamentally also about equality for all, in the workforce. This is why labor rights are also gender justice issues, because we are acknowledging a disparity in the equity of all regardless of gender, race, gender expression and sexual orientation.            I see these historical issues enacted in today’s society in multiple ways. In the day to day, I see it when I find that my male counterpart makes more than I although we are assigned the same work tasks and are both equally qualified. This is an issue that is seen in many work environments and is an example of why labor rights are so important. As for equal rights, I have witnessed a male tell my transgender friend that she is wrong for using a “woman’s” restroom. I was absolutely stunned because it is completely against equal rights, and in this day and age it is disheartening to see that there are individuals who do not understand nor seem to want to understand.