Lecture: The Passaic Textile Strike

January 2026 marked the 100th anniversary of the Passaic Textile Strike, when some 15,000 wool workers (largely immigrants and women) fought for better conditions, higher wages, and a union for more than a year. Although the strike was ultimately defeated, it highlighted that for many workers, the “roaring twenties” were based on worsening conditions and increased exploitation.

Professor Jacob will discuss the causes of the strike, how it developed, and what lessons the strike has for us today.